Robot vacuum cleaners were numerous at the IFA in Berlin, and not only at specialists Roborock and Dreame. We also found some at SwitchBot. Chinese company specializing in the connected home, it had become known thanks to a small device to stick on the switches to trigger them remotely, but has since greatly expanded its catalog, to robots for the ground, therefore. Two were presented on its stand: the SwitchBot K10+ and the SwitchBot S10.
A mini-robot for small apartments
We will pass rather quickly on the first, which especially piqued our curiosity by its format. It measures just 25cm in diameter, making it one of the smallest robot vacuum cleaners on the market. It’s even the smallest according to SwitchBot. However, it may be necessary to make room for it since it comes with an automatic emptying station, admittedly narrow, but 31 cm high. Impossible to hide it under a piece of furniture.
The K10+ is otherwise equipped with a laser rangefinder, able to map the house, and SwitchBot evokes a suction power of 2500 Pa. In addition, small disposable wipes can be fixed, or more precisely stuck under the small water tank provided under the dust container, also ridiculous. In short, everything is small on the K10+. It only remains to hope that the performance will not be of the same ilk, but we will not place too much hope on that.
One, two and even three stations for the S10
The SwitchBot S10 is much more interesting from a technological point of view. He even innovates on the side of his station, and even HIS stations! Two are actually provided: one for automatic emptying; the other to fill its clean water tank, not to be confused with the waste water tank it also has. Like Eufy’s Mach R1, the S10 swaps the traditional mop for a roller that rotates and rinses continuously. The used water is therefore collected in this second tank before being evacuated by the station which fills the tank with clean water.
On the other hand, this station does not need a washing system and, thanks to a connection to the water network of the residence, does not require a tank, at least for the water. A small tank is still provided for detergent, but the idea is to offer a robot that is both easy to maintain and not too bulky. This is also what prompted SwitchBot to share the maintenance functions between two stations, even if the one with the dust bag remains quite high. Additionally, a third station can be added. It is an air humidifier that the robot can supply with its water tank if necessary.
In addition to being delivered with two stations rather than one, the SwitchBot S10 can also count on a fairly original, but not new, washing system. The roller can also be raised on carpets. The rest of the equipment is a little more classic, but we can note a suction power announced at 6500 Pa. To take off the dust, the robot incorporates two brushes, one in the center, one on the side, while a laser rangefinder allows him to map the house.
The SwitchBot S10 will launch on Kickstarter on October 13, 2023 with the usual prices early birds. A discount of $400 is mentioned for the first for a recommended retail price of $1199. The manufacturer has confirmed to us that delivery to France will be offered. The small K10+ should also arrive before the end of the year, without further details.