When it rolls up to a set of stairs, the Ascender doesn’t change direction. Instead, it uses a pair of what look like articulated legs to hoist the body of the robovac up onto the step, before lifting up those two legs and transforming back into what looks more or less like a run-of-the-mill robovac. The robot is then able to clean the step using omni-directional wheels that allow it to maneuver from side to side without having to turn. This process then presumably happens over and over again until the robovac reaches the next floor. A similar process, but in reverse, would presumably allow it to descend stairs, too.
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The Migo Robotics website doesn’t include a lot of details on the Ascender’s capabilities, but it will apparently rely on LiDAR scanners to map the rooms in a home in order to keep track of where it’s cleaned, plan the most efficient routes to a requested area that needs cleaning, and allow users to set up areas to avoid using a companion mobile app. Specifics on battery life or runtime aren’t provided other than a claim that the Ascender can clean up to 5,167 square feet of floors, but that will probably be much less after a stair climb.
The Ascender isn’t available yet, but the Migo Robotics website is encouraging interested parties to make a $5 deposit to a crowdfunding campaign, which will allow them to later purchase the robovac for $999, or about $400 less than the expected MSRP of $1,399. Delivery is expected as early as August, but the promotional video, as well as images of the Ascender on the website, all appear to be renders. Backing a crowdfunded product is always risky, and while backers aren’t being asked to front the entire cost of the robot, it might be a good idea to hold onto that $5 until we at least see a real video of the Ascender in action, and know for sure it can climb and ascend stairs without putting a $1,000 robot at risk.
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