Scooba

Scooba is an automated robotic floor washer produced by iRobot. It was released in limited numbers in December 2005 for the Christmas season at $399.99, with full production starting in early 2006. The company introduced a $299 version, the Scooba 5800, in the second half of 2006. [ [http://investors.irobot.com/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=26144 iRobot Corporation ] ]

The Scooba uses a special non-bleach cleaning solution made by The Clorox Company that cleans the floors and prevents rust or skidding and has been nicknamed "Scooba juice". The robot preps the floor by vacuuming loose debris, squirts clean solution, scrubs the floor, and then sucks up the dirty solution leaving a nearly dry floor behind. The robot is safe to use on sealed hardwood floors and most other hard household surfaces, but it cannot be used on rugs. Scooba avoids rugs and stairs, and can clean about convert|200|sqft|m2 on a single tank-load of solution.

The Scooba is the second major commercial product made by iRobot, which popularized vacuum robots with the Roomba. The Scooba is available in over 40 countries.Fact|date=April 2007

Details

The Scooba uses approximately two fluid ounces per cycle, mixed with a quart of water to fill the clean solution tank. The Scooba comes with one eight oz bottle of Clorox, which is enough for about four washings. Additional Clorox Scooba Cleaning Solution comes in five-packs and nine-packs of 32 oz bottles, which provide enough solution for about 16 washings per bottle. Polysorbate 20 and tetrapotassium EDTA are the primary ingredients. It can also use white vinegar in place of the proprietary solution. [ [http://homesupport.irobot.com/cgi-bin/irobot_homesupport.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=251 Answer ] ]

Recharge times may vary, but typically take hours.

Models

Generation 1

Scooba 5800 (basic floor washing model) can clean about convert|250|sqft|m2 per battery charge ($299)

Generation 2

:Scooba 350 (intermediate floor washing model) can clean about convert|500|sqft|m2 per battery charge ($399):Scooba 380 (premium floor washing model) can clean convert|850|sqft|m2 per battery charge. Also includes charging base, storage mat, and an extra virtual wall (for a total of two) ($499)

References

External links

* [http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=128 Scooba homepage]
* [http://www.irobot.com/images/consumer/cs/Scooba_Manual.pdf Scooba manual]
* [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1901372,00.asp PC Magazine review]
* [http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1138430,00.html Time gadget of the week]
* [http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2005-12-07-irobot-scooba_x.htm USA Today review]