
Robot vacuum cleaner Narwhal revealed its new set of smart vacuum cleaners at the Consumer Electronics Show, featuring AI-based features such as pet monitoring, searching for valuables, and alerting users to misplaced toys.
The company said its new flagship Flow 2 robot vacuum has a rounded design and easy-lift tanks for better cleaning. The device uses two 1080p RGB cameras with a 136-degree field of view to map the area and recognize different types of objects using AI models.
Narwal said that thanks to this technology stack, the vacuum cleaner has the ability to identify an unlimited number of objects. The device first attempts to identify an object locally, but if there is no match, it sends the data to the cloud for further processing.
The Flow 2 has three key modes called animal care mode, baby care mode, and AI ground tag mode. With Pet Care mode, you can set areas where pets usually rest or wander around to clean themselves. Additionally, it can monitor pets and also record them via a two-way audio system (there is no guarantee that they will listen to you, however). In childcare mode, the vacuum cleaner switches to silent mode near the crib and alerts you of lost toys. In AI Floor Tag mode, the vacuum cleaner recognizes valuable items like jewelry, avoids them and alerts you.
Narwal said its new vacuum cleaner has four cleaning modes that can identify different types of dirt. The device can also return to its base to wash the mop and then iron a certain area if it is dirty. The company noted that the Flow 2’s design allows for a higher hot water wash temperature for better cleaning.
Besides the Flow 2, the company also introduced a handheld vacuum cleaner called the U50, which weighs 1.41 kg (3.1 lb) and features UV-C sterilization as well as heat treatment for allergen removal. The company also introduced an unnamed cordless vacuum cleaner, featuring a slim design, 360-degree rotation, and a battery life of up to 50 minutes. The cordless vacuum also has an automatic emptying station that can support up to 60 days of dust removal.
Ivan covers global consumer technology developments at TechCrunch. He is based in India and has previously worked for publications such as the Huffington Post and The Next Web.
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