Robot vacuums use three main navigation systems:
Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging)
How it works: A rotating laser emits pulses to scan room dimensions.
Role: Creates precise 2D/3D maps for efficient cleaning paths. Works flawlessly in darkness.
Best for: Large/complex spaces.
Brands: Roborock, Ecovacs.
Visual Navigation (vSLAM)
How it works: Cameras capture ceiling/landmark images while AI processes spatial data.
Role: Recognizes objects (cables, furniture) and avoids obstacles. Enables room-specific cleaning.
Best for: Homes with frequent layout changes.
Brands: iRobot, high-end Xiaomi.
Gyroscope Navigation
How it works: Tracks movement direction and acceleration via internal sensors.
Role: Calculates distance traveled and basic turning angles. No mapping capability.
Best for: Budget models.
Brands: Entry-level Dreame, Xiaomi.
Key Differences
Accuracy: Lidar > Visual > Gyroscope
Dark Performance: Lidar works perfectly; Visual struggles; Gyroscope unaffected
Object Avoidance: Visual excels; Lidar detects shapes only; Gyroscope lacks this feature
Price: Lidar (Premium) > Visual (Mid-high) > Gyroscope (Budget)
Note: Premium models often combine Lidar with Visual/AI for optimal navigation and obstacle detection.
