iRobot Corp. has announced the immediate availability of an Amazon Alexa skill for U.S. customers of Wi-Fi connected Roomba vacuuming robots.
All Wi‐Fi connected Roomba vacuuming robots are now compatible with Amazon Alexa devices, including Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Amazon Tap. Simply ask Alexa to start, stop, or dock the robot. Customers can enable the Roomba skill by saying, “Alexa, open Roomba” or “Alexa, ask Roomba to begin cleaning.” This feature can be found in the iRobot HOME App, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
The company has also extended the benefits of cloud-connected cleaning with the launch of the Roomba 890 and Roomba 690 Wi-Fi connected vacuuming robots.
With the iRobot HOME App, the Roomba 890 and Roomba 690 Wi-Fi connected vacuuming robots are ready to clean on demand from anywhere, anytime. Each model can be scheduled to clean up to seven times a week from the familiar mobile device interface, which is available for Android and iOS devices.
The iRobot HOME App also provides information about cleaning status, customized tips and direct access to customer support.
The Roomba 690 is available for purchase immediately in the U.S. for $375 and will be available in major retail stores beginning later this quarter. The Roomba 890 will be available in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2017. The two vacuuming robots will also be available in international markets in late second quarter in 2017.
“Expanding the benefits of connectivity from our top-of-the-line Roomba 900 Series through our popular Roomba 800 and 600 Series robots gives more of our customers the opportunity to experience the added functionality and control our connected app gives our robots,” said Colin Angle, chairman and CEO of iRobot. This is an important next step in making the benefits of smart home technology available to everyone, he added.