Hands on with iRobot's short range scrubber (pictures)
A robotic mop that sprays water, agitates dirt and covers ground systematically, the iRobot Braava Jet 240 hopes to make your kitchen floor sparkle.
The iRobot Braava Jet 240
With three mopping modes and improved navigation, the $200 iRobot Braava Jet 240 Mopping Robot wants to take care of any dirt you smudge on your hard floors.
Available today
Available on the company's site today, you'll be able to purchase the new Braava from a number of appliance retailers starting April 1.
Three modes, three types of pads
The package includes three different types of pads, each specialized for individual modes of the Braava.
Dry, damp and wet
In the box, you'll get two each of the dry pad, the damp pad and the wet pad.
Slide the pad in place
Pick your pad and slide it onto the mop.
Ready to mop
It'll snap in place when it's ready to go, and the Braava will sense which pad you picked and switch to that mode automatically.
Fill the reservoir
For the damp and wet modes, you'll need to fill the reservoir. Thankfully, the electronics are sealed, so you don't have to worry about ruining your mop by spilling.
Install the battery
Snap in the battery and you're ready to go.
Systematic cleaning
The mop will systematically cover your floors, going back and forth like a zamboni while tracking objects, boundaries, and how far it has traveled.
Dry mode
On the dry mode, it'll cover everything once.
Using the reservoir
On wet or damp modes, it'll go over your floor multiple times, and spray water in its path.
Targeted spray
The Braava actually covers an area, then backs up and sprays so it doesn't accidentally spray your furniture.
Water-activated cleaner
The water will activate the detergent in the damp and wet pads.
Double coverage
The Braava then goes about its systematic cleaning, covering as much as 200 square feet in dry mode.
Obstacle avoidance
When it senses an object, the Braava will form a path around it.
Circling the obstacle
It should circle objects intelligently while cleaning.
Agitating dirt
The cleaning pads vibrate to help the Braava agitate and pick up more dirt.
Dumping the mess
When you're done, you can simply hit a lever and release the disposable pad. It'll drop off into the trash without you needing to touch it.
Wet pad
Here's the pad for the wet mopping mode.
Dirty damp pad
And here's the damp pad after a run.
Triple coverage
The damp mode uses less water than the wet mode, and goes over the floor twice instead of three times.
Bottoms up
The Braava Jet 240 is small and can fit into tight corners.
What's in the box
Since the pads are disposable, you'll need to order more.
Replacement pads
A box of 10 new pads will cost $8.
Countertop cleaning
It has cliff sensors on each corner, so the Braava Jet could clean your countertop without falling off.
A handy handle
The Jet doesn't cover a large area, but hopefully effective in a smaller one.
Eject the pads
Here's the eject button that removes the pads.
Ready to test
We'll put the iRobot Braava Jet 240 to the test soon to see how well its new thorough mode of cleaning works.