although they all run on basically the same concept laid down by pioneers in affordable robot vacuum cleaners for the home iRobot in their RoomBa line, Korean manufacturers are adding more pizazz in outer design as well as intelligence PLUS more affordable price to the hovering race . and selling well for still most of Korea in hard times economically means all family members are out to work to leave our beloved robot friends to the more repetitive chores .

here I will introduce SamSung Electronics latest AND most expensive model Tango VC-RA84V in Blue and VC-RA84VC in Copper color compared with their medium line VC-RA52V then some from a local start-up brand MamiRobot from KyungMin MeccaTronics .

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first-off SamSung although in their current might as the leader in consumer technology have fallen short design-wise in many product lines from automobiles to digital cameras . yet the looks on all of SamSung’s robot vacuum cleaners from the start have been one sleek addition to enhance the home interior to the future Jetsons family of TV comic mantinee fame . yes as a self-indulged ‘techie’ I cannot forget the moment we let our first iRobot RoomBa robot vacuum cleaner in our living room and realize our future heading straight to 2010 – ‘The Year We Make Contact’ ! it was the dawn of the hopeful Millennium back then . and although the future still don’t look so bright for most of the Korean Penninsula, your latest SamSung Electronics Tango vacuum cleaner may console your homely soul into every corner of your mind .

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[ SamSung Electronics Tango VC-RA84V and VC-RA84VC ] aproximately W500,000 at on-line discount stores (off-line outlets slightly more)

 
– takes photos of surrounding interior 30 shots per second 11 times every hour
 to analyze areas to be cleaned .

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– sweeps and sucks particles into the machine .

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– detects sudden drops such as stairways to avoid

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– detects when electric wiring gets tangled into the machine or even when sucked into the vacuum and starts to untangle automatically
– also halts when a person  ‘lifts’ the machine OR even when the dirt canister becomes detached by accident while moving
– automatically returns to docking station when it recognizes time for recharge

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– avoids areas prohibited by its remote module where further length can be adjusted to 1m, 2m or 3m outwards
– also avoids areas prohibited by special tape taped onto the floor

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– timer can be scheduled for routine cleaning
– notifies by voice when starting and ending operation
– accumulated contents of the dust canister can be sucked up from another vacuum cleaner from the top
– dimensions diagonal 355 mm. height 93 mm. weighing 4 kg.
– recharge time 2 hours to be used 1:30 hours

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[ SamSung Electronics Tango VC-RA52V ] aproximately W350,000 at on-line discount stores (off-line outlets slightly more)

almost identical to the above 84 model but /excluding/ following functions :
( both models released late November 2009 )

  1. Auto-Timer to schedule daily cleaning,
  2. Air Pump function where dust spread from dual wipers are sucked in with surrounding air,
  3. i-Protector function where certain areas in the room are prohibited for the machine to enter,

 

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and now if you are ready for another Episode of ‘Attack of the Clones’ – Robot Vacuum Cleaners Version in the South Korean consumer electronics market nearing the eve of 2010 – ‘The Year We Make Contact’ :

an alternative local brand specializing in robot vacuum cleaners series of MamiRobot models KyungMin MeccaTronics 
( well you gotta give credit for the robotic company name 😉 )
is actually selling more than the adorable SamSung models above NOT because they are slightly cheaper BUT because they proclaim much more multiple functions built-in such as wet rug capability which is currently a de-factor in mainframe vacuum cleaners, many more exterior color options AND a titanium model ! spelled : c. o. o. l. still a beaucoup sensitive spot in such delicate machines are product support and here the vote is still out so, Thanks but I’ll wait-and-see . but for the adventurer in you here are the specs :

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[ KyungMin MeccaTronics MamiRobot Plus Titanium ] their latest (out July 2009) and most expensive model Titanium is W350,000
where lesser models can be had at around W280,000 at on-line discount stores .

  • uses fragrance material on several parts of the machine
  • includes wet rag attached to the bottom
  • recharge AND operation time are similar to SamSung models in 2 hours and 1:30 hours
  • bottom suction chamber automatically re-adjusts height to varying distance down to the floor

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[ Where to Try Out AND Buy Robot Vacuum Cleaners ]

now read my lips : despite all South Korea can claim to be in the modern era it is NOT a consumer-oriented marketplace in the sense that you simply cannot bring back a product and say “oh I don’t like it so I want a refund” like in the States, especially on electronic products . (well there are ways around it so look upon my shopping page which may be in another of my BLogs) so if you are new to robot vacuum cleaners DO try out first . especially since even when Korean electronics manufacturers lead by SamSung and LG are Global brands, their vacuum cleaners are notorious for factory-like loud sound or noise which ever you may choose to call it . also watch out how much dust they sweep up ONTO the air – specially if you have allergies . these are NOT yet a general item for all so you may NOT find all options in your nearest SuperMart . so head on to your nearest JeonJa Land (Electronics Land) branch mostly in major populated ‘Ku’ areas in South Korea .

if you have made you choice in SamSung Electronics then you will have a more leisurely browsing AND shopping in one of their showrooms in most conjested corners again throughout the Penninsula . also aproximately one out of five showrooms will have a product support center upstairs so have your cell phone upgraded too 😉 and usually their main competitor LG Electronics will have a showroom next-door or near-by so go see a wide-screen TV too 😉 and these are for just ‘looking’ for on-line stores would have better discounts except for ‘display models’ occasionally on sale at SamSung and LG showrooms .

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and talkin’about robots : look what I found on my last shopping spree among a full-set o’light sabres ?
(OK this is Japan) an inter-active R2D2 ~ hmm .. gotta get THAT to clean my floors ..
 

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– yes, Korea Tech BLog is /packed/ with helpful information,
very useful for your sojourn in Techno-Metropolis, November 2009 –