Review of the Panda i5 robot vacuum cleaner: a hybrid device with a video camera and Wi-Fi

If you believe the advertising, the Panda i5 robot vacuum cleaner is just a godsend for those who do not like to waste time on regular hours-long cleaning.

Manufacturers claim that this miniature unit will not only efficiently handle various types of garbage, but will also plan the route itself and develop a safe movement algorithm in order to clean up quickly and as unnoticed as possible by the owners.

Let's figure out if this is really so. We have prepared a detailed review of the Panda i5, outlined the operating parameters of the device, listed the capabilities and innovative technologies that are implemented on board the unit, and also pointed out its strengths and weaknesses.

Main characteristics of Panda i5

The Panda i5 robotic unit is a new generation model from the Japanese manufacturer Panda Robotics. Despite the fact that the devices are assembled in China, the products of this brand are distinguished by the use of high-quality components and the use of innovative technologies.

Therefore, even among premium models, the Panda i5 stands out not only for its original design, but also for its unique technical equipment.

Appearance and equipment

The device itself has a modern, laconic design and surprisingly compact dimensions. The robot's weight is 2.3 kg, its height is only 60 mm, and its diameter is 25 cm.

The case is made of high-quality plastic and is offered in two colors – golden Gold and black and red Red.

The manufacturer offers to purchase a vacuum cleaner with all the necessary components for dry and wet cleaning. The only thing you will have to buy yourself is a memory card of the required size if you plan to save camera recordings

In addition to the vacuum cleaner itself, the package includes:

1. Recharging station.
2. Washing panel with water tank.
3. 2 side brushes with six “rays”.
4. Spare filter.
5. Remote control.
6. Power unit.
7. 2 microfiber cleaning cloths.
8. Instructions and warranty card.

The unit is designed for floor cleaning, and it can work not only on hard surfaces, but even clean long-pile carpets.

And thanks to the built-in container with water and a two-layer wide napkin, you can effectively perform combined dry and wet cleaning on tiles, linoleum, laminate, parquet, without leaving wet marks or streaks.

Technical and functional nuances

Despite its very modest size, the Panda i5 robot has a powerful engine with a low sound level, a lithium-polymer battery with an impressive capacity of 7000 mAh and a large 500 ml dust container.

This allows the vacuum cleaner to cope with cleaning an area of ​​200-240 m2² and operate without recharging for at least 140 minutes.

The main technical characteristics of the Panda i5 allow it to successfully compete with other robotic vacuum cleaners from the premium line

Thanks to its ultra-thin body and small diameter, the robot easily penetrates hard-to-reach places, including the space under furniture.

Removes dust deposits, pet hair, various small debris - scraps of paper, sand, soil, seed husks.

And with the help of a well-thought-out routing algorithm, when the battery is low or after completing a task, it goes to the charging station itself.

The chassis of the robot vacuum cleaner allows it to easily overcome thresholds and other “barriers” with a height of up to 25 mm

It can work in the following modes:

1. Auto – cleaning along a set route allows you to clean the entire accessible floor surface as much as possible.
2. Spot – cleaning small, heavily soiled areas, in which the vacuum cleaner turns on maximum suction power.
3. Along the perimeter – a passage along walls and around furniture, with an emphasis on cleanliness in corners and baseboards.
4. Express – quick 20-minute cleaning in automatic mode.
5. With delayed start – with the ability to set the exact time and any day to start work.

The principle of dry cleaning in Panda i5 is no different from other vacuum robotic vacuum cleaners - it draws in dust and debris along its entire path, changing power depending on the level of dirt and helping itself with rotating brushes.

By the way, unlike many analog models, the Panda’s brushes rotate at a good pace and do not scatter debris over the entire surface of the floor.

A built-in echolocation system and 4 groups of sensors help the robot recognize obstacles, work out a safe route and avoid collisions with people and objects

The air that gets inside the vacuum cleaner goes through several stages of cleaning:

• preliminary - using a fine-mesh mesh, on which large debris remains;
• HEPA membrane — eliminates various allergenic particles (dust mites, fungal spores) and other small inclusions;
• fine cleaning - through activated carbon, which filters out even microparticles of dust and other debris up to 0.03 microns in size.

The wet cleaning function is interestingly solved: a flat module with a water reservoir and a two-layer microfiber cleaning cloth is attached to the lower part of the body.

As a result, the robot first sucks in debris, then moistens the floor surface and wipes it dry.

The wet cleaning module is easily attached to the bottom of the housing, but does not affect its maneuverability, since it does not change the height of the housing

You can control the robot via a remote control or program the cleaning mode using a program installed on your smartphone/tablet.

The device moves chaotically, starting in a straight line, and when it encounters an obstacle, it changes direction in a random order.

But if necessary, you can set another movement algorithm: in a spiral, along the walls, or allow it to combine modes automatically.

Appearance and equipment of the Panda i5 robot:

Additional features of the unit

The device not only copes with its direct duties as a cleaner, but is also equipped with a lot of high-tech devices. Let's look at the most interesting features of the Panda i5 robot vacuum cleaner.

A video camera with a panoramic view, night vision function and a built-in slot for a card up to 32 GB is installed on the front bumper of the unit.

Thanks to this, the device can also be used as a watchman in order to obtain information about what is happening in the apartment at any time.When there is no need to shoot, the camera eye can be closed with a shutter.

Panda i5 is the first robot vacuum cleaner equipped with an active panoramic video camera with the ability to connect via a smartphone, which allows you to film in real time and save materials on a flash card

To work in the dark, illumination with infrared lamps installed on four sides of the case is used.

The operating principle of the module is practically no different from the function of a car DVR.

Through it, you can not only monitor the progress of cleaning, but also set the direction yourself or adjust the route of the device’s progress via your home Wi-Fi network.

The fall protection system helps the device monitor changes in the height of the floor surface, and prevents falls from steps or a high podium

Other nice bonuses:

1. Intelligent Navigation — using the same camera and obstacle detection sensors, the robot independently draws up a map of the house and remembers the places where it has already been cleaned and where it still needs to go.
2. Innovative echolocation system reduces the likelihood of collisions between the vacuum cleaner and objects by up to 96%. And for robots that use only infrared sensors, this figure does not exceed 80%.
3. Remote control via Wi-Fi – you can access the control of the unit through your home router or mobile application.
4. Camera can work continuously, even while the battery is charging.
5. Microfiber cloth on the washing module has a special pile structure that effectively collects moisture, pet hair, hair, and dust.

Of course, there were some additional, but not very useful functions. For example, you can make a video call to the device and talk through the vacuum cleaner, like on Skype.

How to set up the robot’s connection to Wi-Fi and a smartphone is clearly demonstrated in the video:

Advantages and disadvantages of Panda i5

So, let’s briefly summarize all the positive aspects of the robot vacuum cleaner.

Pros of the unit:

1. A power of 1.2 kPa allows you to remove the smallest particles of dirt even from fleecy carpets, not to mention smooth surfaces.
2. The new high-tech processor is responsible for the accuracy of plotting the route and terrain plan, fast switching of modes, and the operation of the fall and collision prevention system.
3. The ultra-thin body and low weight provide excellent cross-country ability and maneuverability.
4. Possibility of combining dry and wet cleaning.
5. The side brushes are equipped with protection against winding threads, hair and other debris, and their increased diameter makes it possible to increase the efficiency of cleaning hard-to-reach areas and corners by 30% compared to previous Panda models.
6. The width of the cleaning cloth is 28 cm, which is almost twice the size of standard polishers for analog devices.
7. Increased water tank capacity, holding 280 ml.
8. Function of automatic removal of excess moisture.
9. Automatic charging.
10. Minimum noise level from a working device.
11. 2 year warranty.

Of course, according to statements from manufacturers and sellers of equipment, there are no downsides to be found in the device at all. But if you study the reviews of customers who have already tested the operation of the vacuum cleaner in practice, you can note several shortcomings.

The Panda i5 echolocation system is a unique development for collision avoidance, which was based on the principle of spatial orientation of bats and dolphins

Thus, the robot does not pass through high thresholds, identifying them as an obstacle, so if there is a podium or other height differences on the floor, the device will have to be moved from room to room.

Some users note problems with the wet cleaning function - sometimes too much water comes out of the holes in the container, and the robot literally floats in a puddle until the rag absorbs all the moisture.

The operating principle and control of the vacuum cleaner are presented in the video:

True, the manufacturers respond to this claim that the problem is not in the vacuum cleaner itself, but in an improperly secured tank.

The problem with returning to the charging base can be easily eliminated if you correctly determine the location for the station - it should not hide behind a sofa or other massive pieces of furniture

The routing system also raises questions - not everyone likes the chaotic movements of the vacuum cleaner; many would prefer to set the exact path for cleaning themselves.

There are also complaints against the developers of the application that allows you to control the device from a smartphone or tablet - sometimes the image from the camera or software buttons disappear and a reboot is required.

But in general, buyers are satisfied with their assistant and his work, and minor shortcomings do not deter them.

It should be noted that this manufacturer has other equally worthy robot vacuum cleaners, the rating of the best of them is presented in this article.

Comparison with competing models

Let's compare the Panda i5 model with automatic cleaners capable of competing with it, similar in consumer demand and equally extensive technical capabilities.

Competitor #1 – iClebo Arte Ironman edition

The model successfully copes with wet and dry cleaning options.It takes 1 hour 50 minutes to charge, and to receive a new portion of energy when the previous one is depleted, it returns on its own. The battery can operate the device for 2 hours. Pleased with the impressive volume of the dust collector, equal to 0.6 liters.

The case is equipped with a display with basic control tools. The operating mode is selected and the card is programmed using the remote control. Infrared sensors are installed to detect obstacles. Noisy at 55 dB.

For wet cleaning of floors, iClebo Arte Ironman edition is complemented with microfiber cloths. Among the extremely useful functions is a timer that allows you to choose a convenient period for work. It is possible to calculate the cleaning time and program the activation of the unit by day of the week.

Competitor #2 – iClebo Omega

This robotic vacuum cleaner is also capable of both dry and wet types of cleaning. The device takes 3 hours to charge, and from a prepared battery it works for 1 hour 20 minutes. When the received energy runs out, the automatic cleaner itself rushes to the parking base. If the process of bringing the room was interrupted, after charging the robot returns to the point from which it went to charge.

To detect obstacles, iClebo Omega is equipped with optical sensors. The technical stuffing is protected from the consequences of accidental collisions by a soft bumper. To separate the area to be cleaned, a magnetic tape is included in the package. If necessary, you can use the turbo mode to enhance the suction effect.

It is controlled electronically and has a touch screen built into the body. Programming the work scheme and constructing a map of the room being processed is done using the remote control. For convenience, the display is illuminated with LEDs. This model is noisy at 68 dB.

We also recommend that you read the review of this vacuum cleaner model. More details - go to link.

Competitor #3 - Robo-sos LR-450

The automatic cleaner is capable of dry and wet cleaning of the floor. The downside of the model is rightfully recognized as long charging, lasting 6 hours. The robot operates from the battery for 2 hours without interruption. When the battery is depleted, the model will automatically return to the base to renew its energy reserve. It makes only 45 dB noise during operation.

Robo-sos LR-450 is equipped with optical sensors that detect obstacles in the path of the vacuum cleaner. The processing area is limited by a virtual wall. The body is equipped with a soft bumper that minimizes the consequences of possible collisions. The lid has a display illuminated by LEDs. The remote control is also used to control and select modes.

The operation of the vacuum cleaner can be adjusted according to the days of the week. There is a system for selecting the most suitable suction power, taking into account the degree of dirt and type of coating. Dust container volume 0.8 l. You can program the operation of the device by day of the week.

Conclusions and best offers on the market

Of course, a vacuum cleaner Panda i5 will not solve the problem of complex cleaning, but if you have small children, a spacious house with an impressive area or a furry pet, such a device will be an excellent help for keeping the floors clean.

And for those who can’t decide on a purchase, many equipment sellers offer not only detailed advice from specialists, but also a home test drive of robotic vacuum cleaners.

Do you have anything to add to the material or have questions about choosing a robot vacuum cleaner for your home? Please leave your comments, ask questions, share your experience - the contact block is located under the article.