IRobot, Amazon Working on 2-Way Alexa Dialog Capability

Amazon and iRobot are working on voice-enabled intelligence for home robots that will result in “more thoughtful, proactive smart home automations,” said the companies Wednesday. Robot vacuums and mops with IRobot Genius Home Intelligence have Imprint smart mapping technology that learns how to best navigate a user’s floors, remembering rooms and certain furniture to clean “where it’s most needed." Interactive Alexa conversations and predictive and proactive recommendations are said to give users a new level of personalization and control for their homes, schedules, preferences and devices, the companies said. “The combination of advanced navigation, object identification and advanced voice-enabled technologies lets people interact with them in a more natural way, gaining greater control of their smart home,” said iRobot CEO Colin Angle. The latest update to iRobot Genius will allow iRobot and Amazon customers to have a two-way dialogue with their robots to improve the overall experience, they said. Through Alexa, a Roomba robot vacuum or Braava jet robot mop can let a user know when it has finished a cleaning job, if it needs assistance, or even to ask its owner for clarification on a particular cleaning job. Coming soon, iRobot customers will be able to set "do not disturb" times for their connected robot cleaning device. If a customer tries to initiate a cleaning during a previously designated "do not disturb" time, the robot will clarify with the owner.