Review of the iClebo Arte robot vacuum cleaner: South Korean development for dry and wet cleaning
The South Korean company Yujin Robot has been developing the iClebo line since 2005. Taking such a long time to develop automated cleaning devices has proven to be beneficial.So, in 2012, another high-tech novelty entered the market - the iClebo Arte robot vacuum cleaner, which quickly became popular among users.
- The location of the base is determined from anywhere in the apartment
- Convenient to clean the filter, brushes and dust container
- Cleans well even under the lowest sofas
- Overcomes thresholds up to 2 cm high
- Copes with low-pile carpet cleaning
- The glossy surface of the case is easily scratched
- Gets tangled in wires
- Rides around long curtains without cleaning underneath them
- Ineffectively collects fur
This modern robotic cleaner has serious functionality and is practically free of drawbacks, except for its price. In our article we will analyze in detail the main characteristics of iClebo Arte, its features, advantages and disadvantages. We will also compare this vacuum cleaner with its main competitors - robots from the same price category produced by other brands.
The content of the article:
Design and functions of the iClebo Arte vacuum cleaner
Devices of this cost are subject to serious requirements in terms of their functionality. The main factors determining the high price of a Korean vacuum cleaner were its electronic components and expensive design.
Before purchasing iClebo Arte, you need to understand its capabilities, which can be determined by its parameters and operating modes.
Technical characteristics and equipment
The bottom, bumpers and sides of the vacuum cleaner are made in black. The top panel has the shape of a regular hexagon and is covered with high-quality transparent plastic.
In Russia, they sell two varieties with silver and carbon (with or without orange edging) panel color, although there are two more design options with a pattern: red and purple (“sakura”).
The control panel is located towards the front of the vacuum cleaner and includes three capacitive buttons and a touch screen. Next to it there is a camera, based on the data from which a map of the premises is constructed.
The dimensions of the robot are average, the slopes of the bottom allow it to overcome obstacles well. The weight and volume of the dust container are typical for devices of this size.
The vacuum cleaner includes additional consumables and components:
- spare napkins for the polisher (2 pcs.);
- spare fine filters (2 pcs.);
- fragment of the restrictive magnetic tape (1 m);
- scraper for cleaning the turbo brush.
If there are problems with the vacuum cleaner, error codes will be displayed on the screen. Their decoding is given on the plate attached to the charging base and in the instructions for using the device.
Equipment and cleaning modes:
Basic parameters of the electrical system
Typically, robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with long-lasting lithium-ion or cheap nickel-metal hydride batteries. Nickel-cadmium batteries are rarely used.
The iClebo Arte uses an expensive lithium-ion option, although it contributes little to the overall cost.
The main advantage of lithium-ion batteries is the ability to recharge them with any remaining amount of energy without losing the total battery capacity. A capacity of 2200 mAh is sufficient for a long time to operate the device with a rated power of 12 W.
The power adapter parameters are the same as typical laptop charging devices. The battery also has common parameters. Therefore, if they need to be replaced, there will be no problems finding suitable spare parts.
Operating modes and movement
Iclebo Arte is a high-tech device that implements the function of constructing a map of the treated space. This allows the robot to effectively navigate rooms with complex geometry and significantly increases cleaning efficiency.
How iClebo Arte sensors and brush design work:
He can work in different rooms and return to base. If the cycle was interrupted due to the need to recharge, the vacuum cleaner will continue it from the place where it finished cleaning.
The robot supports five main modes:
- Automatic (Auto). The vacuum cleaner sequentially cleans the entire area, building a trajectory like a “snake”.
- Chaotic (Random). For a time specified by the user, the robot cleans the surrounding area along a random trajectory.
- Maximum (Max). The vacuum cleaner uses first automatic and then chaotic modes, almost until the battery is completely discharged.
- Local (Spot). The robot follows a “snake” trajectory and cleans a small square-shaped area with a side of about 180 cm.
- Manual. The trajectory of movement is determined by a person using a remote control.
In addition to any mode, the option of overcoming obstacles (Climb) can be enabled. When activated, the robot overcomes protrusions up to 2 cm in height, and without it - only up to 0.5 cm. This is very convenient for rooms with thresholds, since with its help you can set the cleaning of either the entire apartment or a separate room, which is limited by such obstacle.
For smooth surfaces, you can use magnetic tape as a limiter. The vacuum cleaner comes with a short piece, only 1 meter long, but it can be purchased in addition. Sometimes, for these purposes, thrifty users use a magnetic strip for fastening the refrigerator door seal, but the robot’s reaction to it must be tested experimentally.
Obstacle and orientation sensors include a total of 7 types of devices:
- mechanical, which are integrated into the bumpers;
- infrared for determining distance along a plane;
- gyroscope to determine the tilt of the robot;
- an upward-facing camera to create a map of the room;
- odometer to determine travel speed;
- a magnetic element for responding to the restrictive tape;
- floor lift sensor.
Using the remote control, you can set up a daily automatic start of the vacuum cleaner at a time and even set one of two operating modes: automatic or chaotic.
Dry and wet cleaning
For models of the iClebo line, side brushes of an original design have been developed. They are flexible leashes ending in straight and stiff bristles. It will not be possible to use non-original components for this robot model, so you must purchase a spare set in advance.
They scoop up debris under the body, where the main bristled turbo brush, working in tandem with a scraper, throws debris into the dust collector. The shaft rotates at a speed of 816 rpm. Fine dust is sucked into the hole by the air flow created and settles on the filters.
Thus, iClebo Arte is not a vacuum cleaner in the classical sense of the word, but the term “electric broom” more correctly reflects the essence of the product.
Wet cleaning occurs simultaneously with dry cleaning if you install a microfiber cloth. This solution is much more convenient than alternately collecting dust and wiping the surface. Napkins can be rinsed and washed in any way.
Advantages and disadvantages of iClebo Arte
When comparing iClebo Arte with other devices in the same price range, you need to understand that this is not the latest model on the market. Although the developers from Yujin Robot are releasing new firmware and making small design changes, its concept is already inferior to the latest developments of competitors.
Strict adherence to the route, combined with surface mapping, eliminates the formation of areas in which cleaning has not been carried out. The robot's electronics also minimize the areas it traverses multiple times. Therefore, to cover the same area, it requires less time and battery consumption than many other vacuum cleaners.
The low rated power should not be misleading, since according to tests, the vacuum cleaner copes well with cleaning various types of dry pollutants, including sand.
Turning on the “Climb” mode allows the robot to overcome obstacles up to 2 cm high. Turning off this mode helps to limit the space being cleaned: the vacuum cleaner is not allowed to leave the room due to a high threshold, although physically it can do this.
Charging is fast enough. Most competitors are forced to stand at the base twice as long, for example, Philips FC8776 the required time is 4 hours.
IClebo Arte does not clean carpets well, since the bristle roller is not able to thoroughly sweep away debris. The dust remains too.
An example of a vacuum cleaner working on a carpet and overcoming a threshold:
On smooth surfaces the cleaning quality is excellent. Napkins for wiping floors dry within a cleaning period of 3-5 m2, so this function is rather “on paper”.
When cleaning, the robot is “afraid” to enter tight spaces, which it detects using infrared sensors. Therefore, debris often remains in corners and narrow openings where a vacuum cleaner could fit due to its dimensions.
When constructing a map, problems arise with mirrored ceilings, and sometimes even with reflective surfaces of chandeliers. The robot constantly “sees” itself and gets lost in this situation. This drawback applies to all models that build a map of the room using images with a vertically oriented camera.
Magnetic tape doesn't always work. And the solution in the form of beacons, as is done in the iRobot Roomba 865 model, is more aesthetically pleasing.
iClebo Arte does not have the ability to turn off the sound indication. For such expensive devices this is a significant drawback.
The tinted plastic on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner does not provide any tangible advantages for its design, but it makes it difficult to visually determine how full the dust container is. The indicator only indicates that the tank is already full.
The advantages and disadvantages of robotic vacuum cleaners are written in detail in this article.
Similar models from other manufacturers
Before choosing IClebo Arte, it is worth getting acquainted with models from other manufacturers that are similar in functionality and cost. Below we will look at models of robotic vacuum cleaners from Xiaomi, Samsung and iRobot.
Competitor #1 – Xiaomi Mi Roborock Sweep One
The Roborock Sweep One robot vacuum cleaner from Xiaomi is the main competitor of iClebo Arte. It is designed for dry and wet cleaning of premises. 13 optical sensors are responsible for cleaning, and a cyclone filter acts as a dust collector.
The manufacturer equipped the device with a 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery, which is enough to clean rooms for 150 minutes.
Control is carried out using the remote control. And among the additional functions, the model includes laser scanning of the room.
Among the positive aspects, users noted the good quality of cleaning, long battery life, ease of cleaning filters, and convenient operation.
The only drawback is that with the Roborock Sweep One washing tank it does not fit under low furniture.
Competitor #2 – Samsung VR10M7010UW
When considering the competitors of IClebo Arte, you should definitely stop at the VR10M7010UW vacuum cleaner from Samsung. It differs from the model under consideration in its considerable dimensions and weight of 4 kg. At the same time, the capacity of the cyclone filter is only 0.3 liters.
Among the additional functions, the model includes the ability to build a map of the room and the ability to program the device to clean on certain days of the week. The set includes a special brush for cleaning baseboards - Edge Clean Master.
Some of the positive aspects noted by users include good cleaning quality, economical energy consumption, and ease of cleaning the dust container.
There are many more disadvantages. The most significant of them: it does not clean well near walls and in corners, there is no control via the phone, it does not accept special border limiters.
This model is intended for dry cleaning only. In general, for this amount you can buy a vacuum cleaner from another manufacturer with more advanced functionality.
Competitor #3 - iRobot Roomba 681
Another vacuum cleaner that can compete with IClebo Arte is Roomba 681 from iRobot. It is a device designed for dry cleaning of premises.
The model has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 2130 mAh, which is enough to clean rooms for 120 minutes. A 1 liter cyclone filter serves as a dust collector.
The device is controlled using the remote control. It is possible to program rooms to be cleaned on certain days of the week.
Users like the ability to limit the cleaning area using a “virtual wall”, a powerful battery and a spacious waste container.
The disadvantages of the model include poor quality cleaning, especially in the corners of rooms, but this is a problem with almost all such devices.
Conclusions and best offers on the market
The iClebo Arte model has been on the Russian market for about five years, so its capabilities have been well studied. It is suitable for medium and large rooms, with any level of complexity of the geometry of rooms and corridors, and overcomes thresholds well. It does not clean carpets and rugs well, and the wet cleaning function is rather nominal. But overall, we can say that this robot vacuum cleaner is worth the money spent on it.
If you have experience using the iClebo Arte robot vacuum cleaner, please share it with our readers. Tell us if you are happy with your choice. Leave your comments, ask questions, share your experience in the block below.
