Do All Robot Vacuums Have Microprocessors?

Robot vacuums are smart cleaning devices that are constantly being upgraded with advanced technological features. With each upgrade, robot vacuums can process and execute tasks on their own more efficiently and accurately.

However, not all robot vacuums are built the same nor do they all perform on the same level. This is because each robot vacuum has different designs and processors being used.

In this article, we will talk about microprocessors in robot vacuums and whether every model has one.

Do Robot Vacuums Need Microprocessors?

A microprocessor is also called a central processing unit, and it helps a computer process instructions and tasks so it may fully perform them. In robots or robot vacuums, it is the component that helps “make sense” of what you want the unit to do.

For robot vacuums specifically, microprocessors can help these devices to determine the speed, trajectory, and work requirement it needs to perform based on the user’s instructions.

Overall, microprocessors play a huge role in how robot vacuums work, which is why all robot vacuums have one. The difference lies in which microprocessor these robot vacuums use.

The iRobot Roomba S9, for example, makes use of Qualcomm processors, which is a smartphone-level processor that equips the robot vacuum model with a more advanced memory and Imprint Link function that other robot vacuums may not necessarily have.

Being equipped with this microprocessor allows the Roomba S9 to work together with the Braava Jet M6, which is a robot mop. Although this is different from hybrid robot vacuums, the Qualcomm processor of the Roomba S9 makes it possible for the unit to “communicate” with the Braava Jet M6 to start mopping when it’s done vacuuming.

What Microprocessors Do Robot Vacuums Use?

While there are plenty of microprocessors being developed and used by appliances and devices, the three types that are most commonly used are CISC, RISC, and EPIC.

The Complex Instruction Set Computer or CISC is a microprocessor that helps robot vacuums process low-level instructions. This microprocessor generally helps load data from memory, store new data in memory, and perform basic operations. This type of microprocessor can most probably be found in entry-level robot vacuums.

The Reduced Instruction Set Computer or RISC is a microprocessor that executes tasks quickly because it processes simple and basic instructions.

The Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computer or EPIC is a microprocessor that processes instructions in parallel through compilers. This means complex instructions can be directed to devices and will be processed in fewer clock frequencies.

Final Note

All robot vacuums have microprocessors built into them as these components enable them to process instructions to a certain degree. It is the type of microprocessor that is being used where the difference will lie. Ultimately, this contributes to how much a robot vacuum is priced and its performance.