The Mint Automatic Floor Cleaner, first announced at CES in January, adapts to different home environments using a range of sensors and employs advanced navigation technologies to systematically clean floors. It is guided by a NorthStar navigation system that allows the unit to map where it is cleaning so it doesn’t miss a spot or cover the same area over and over.
Instead of being a vacuum or brush sweeper, Mint automatically dusts and wet mops hard surface floors using popular cleaning cloths, such as Swiffer brand Dry and Wet Cloths and other similar products.
Using dry cloths, Mint picks up dust, dirt and hair sitting on the surface, while a special mopping motion using wet cloths allows the unit to dissolve and wipe up deeper dirt and grime.
Mint’s rechargeable battery lasts over three hours when dry cleaning, and up to two hours for the more power intensive wet cleaning. Its creators say Mint will dry clean an average sized kitchen in around 25 minutes, while wet cleaning will take a bit longer at around 40 minutes.
To help it fit in tight spaces and hard to reach areas, Mint measures about three inches high, while its cleaning pad is less than ten inches wide, allowing it to maneuver between chair legs and other small spaces.
Evolution Robotics is currently taking pre-orders for the Mint. It is due to ship in the third quarter of this year, and sell s for $249. The device will also be available through retail outlets in the fourth quarter. The Mint will only be available in the US, but the company plans to expand internationally in 2011.
(http://mintcleaner.com)
Published on : April 23 2010
