Robot vacuum cleaners with virtual wall
Virtual wall
— this function allows you to create a conditional obstacle in the way of the robot, which it will not cross during independent movements. A virtual wall will be especially useful in cases where the "restricted zone" cannot be fenced off more traditionally - with a closed door, a barrier on the floor, etc. With the help of such a border, you can, for example, prevent the device from leaving the room, protect food bowls and water for pets, close a narrow space under a cupboard or sofa where the vacuum cleaner can get stuck, etc.Note that the methods of constructing a virtual wall can be different, the features of using this function depend on this. Here are the most popular methods found in modern vacuum cleaners:
- Laser sensor. A virtual wall based on an emitter that creates a conditional barrier using a laser. Most often, a laser is used to draw a straight line, such as across a doorway. However, there are also circular type limiters capable of forming a "forbidden zone" in the form of a circle or sector at a certain distance from the emitter. Anyway, this is a fairly common type of virtual wall - lasers are easy to use, reliable and relatively inexpensive. Moreover, if necessary, they are easily rearranged from place to place. The disadvantages of this option are the inability to create borders of complex shape and the need to monitor the batteries installed in the emitters.
- Magnetic tape. Virtual wall in the form of a tape of magnetic material laid on the floor. For reliable fixation, such a tape, usually, is made self-adhesive. Such a border can be given almost any shape and length. In addition, the tape, unlike a laser, does not require power, and its use is inexpensive (this applies to the cost of both the limiter itself and robot vacuum cleaners). The disadvantages of this method include: first of all, the fact that the tapes are designed to mount to a smooth floor; if there is a carpet or other similar covering, the border will have to be laid under it, which can be quite troublesome. In addition, note that the tape is designed to permanently stay in one place. So this method is poorly suited for cases where the boundaries are constantly changing.
- Via the application. The most advanced way: the boundaries are set by the user on the map of the premises, opened in a special application for a smartphone or other mobile gadget. The map, usually, is preliminarily drawn up by the robot itself (see “Mapping system”). This method eliminates the need for lasers, magnetic tape and other accessories. The size and proportions of the forbidden zones can be practically any (although the shape is most often limited to a rectangle). And you can create, change and delete virtual walls in just a matter of seconds. The main disadvantage of vacuum cleaners with similar functionality is a rather high cost.
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