Despite (or perhaps because of) its high price, iRobot's Roomba robot vacuum cleaner has always been quite clever when it comes to cleaning However, the company is releasing updates not only to the vacuum cleaner but also to its app, allowing for more targeted cleaning and proactive alerts

The new set of features, casually named iRobot Genius Home Intelligence, will be rolled out to all of the company's Wi-Fi connected robots The features on each robotic vacuum cleaner will depend on the model's capabilities and sensors

For example, the Roomba S9+ and S9, Roomba i7+ and i7, and Blava Jet m6 will be able to identify objects such as kitchen counters, tables, and chairs and create precision cleaning zones After setting up, the vacuum cleaner can be instructed to "clean in front of the coffee table" or "clean under the dining table"

Conversely, these robots can now learn about problem areas, such as long-haired carpets or around pet dishes, and suggest areas to avoid when patrolling

They can also do event-based automation, so that when you leave the house (which is not often), the vacuum cleaner will start cleaning This is already possible to some extent, but this update will make it easier to connect Roomba with other smart home devices (such as August smart locks, Ecobee smart thermostats, MyQ smart garage door openers, and via IFTTT) As before, the robot vacuum cleaner can also be controlled via Alexa or Google Assistant

The iRobot Home app will also be cleaned up, recommending cleaning schedules based on your habits and allowing you to set up your favorite cleaning routines, such as a daily routine of cleaning under the dining table after breakfast or dinner

Finally, the app will suggest different cleaning schedules for different seasonal events, such as allergy season or when your pets shed

Updates to the app and to the robot vacuum cleaners will begin today (August 25) and will be completed by Labor Day available for all Wi-Fi connected Roombas: 600 Series, e Series, 900 Series, S Series, i Series, Robot Mop m-series, 200 series, and 300 series

After testing dozens of robot vacuums, we believe iRobot's models are among the best We are interested to see how much this app update will improve the overall experience when using their products