I don’t always understand technology. I sometimes argue and fight with it. I still don’t get most of it. But for now, this particular technology is quite perfect. The Deebot Ozmo 950. My saviour. My intelligent robot help around the house. He vacuums and mops. Yes, correct. He mops. With water, might I add. I know. How can a smallish roundish thing possibly clean any home as well as a human can? Not 85-100% like an industrious human but very close. 

I too was a naysayer for a long while. I dismissed my husband’s repeated suggestions to buy a robot vacuum cleaner. He was concerned especially since I took over the arduous and repetitive job of cleaning my mum’s condominium unit and ours. Covid-19 has indefinitely cancelled our long-standing cleaning service. Finally, I caved, and we went to see a physical demonstration of a robot cleaner. Although unsure about its efficacy I was impressed enough to give it a try. Fortuitously for me, the 11-11 sales promotion sealed the purchase.

With Deebot Ozmo 950 or Dee and most things technology-related, I prefer to read and ‘understand’ everything even before I press the power button. I’ve never managed to take it all in but still feel comforted that I’ve done what was required. My husband, on the other hand, looked at the Quick Start Guide, and decided to run Dee.  But not before he fitted in Dee’s dustbin or Direct Suction Option under his lid. Filled water into his water holder or Reservoir and fixed a blue cloth or Disposable Cleaning Cloth onto the Cleaning Cloth Plate. Dee was ready to go.

It felt strangely exciting and amusing. To see and hear this robot cleaner announce that he was going to start the cleaning process. He left his battery charging or Docking Station, and sort of waddled all over the floor. His four side brushes extended out and constantly moved. He then stopped and focused on our main rug at the entrance of our condo. Dee looked like he was sniffing the edges of the rug and kept going around it. He did the same with our two other rugs. One in the kitchen and the other in front of the television.

He cleaned the living area but none of our three rooms. After about 50 minutes, he announced that he was going back to his Docking Station. It was funny because it appeared to us like he had had enough. Was tired and needed some juice – battery – to regain his strength. He requested that the dustbin be removed while he charged. Impressively, the dustbin had loads of dust and debris. This was despite Dee not traversing the three rugs. The floor didn’t appear to have been mopped but we were still quite impressed with the almost full dustbin.

Next morning, I downloaded the ECOVACS HOME App, recommended by its developer, Ecovacs Robotics. A China-based technology company, known for its in-home robotic appliances. Registered and created an account. Then, connected to Dee via WiFi.  Of the various features offered, I chose – Auto Clean. Fitted the dustbin under his lid, filled water in the water holder and affixed the blue cleaning cloth for Dee to vacuum and mop. It’s the mopping that I was most interested in. This time, I put away the rugs. Dee, being the intelligent robot cleaner that he is, showed us the previous night that he is programmed to vacuum the rugs. And, mop the floor with water. I also removed the smaller rugs, cables and wires that might obstruct his movement.

Voila! Dee worked. He mapped the floor area of the condo as he vacuumed and mopped. I could see his movements – where he was, areas he had cleaned and where he hadn’t. All live on my mobile. He cleaned systematically. Went back to areas that he might have missed the first time. And, crawled under sofas, tables and spaces that offered enough clearing for his 93mm height. He did a decent job.

My husband and I soon realized that doing a 2-step function produced a better clean. First, we ran the vacuum function. Dustbin in. Minus the water holder. The bigger rugs were left in their place. Removed the little ones and other hinderances. Dee easily climbed onto the thicker rugs and vacuumed them, and the floor. This took about 70 minutes. After Dee recharged, we ran the mopping function. Fitted back the cleaned dustbin. Included the water holder and cleaning cloth/plate. Removed all rugs and obstacles. Dee dutifully vacuumed again, and mopped the entire condo. Both functions performed together was completed in just over 90 minutes.

Four weeks on… the Deebot Ozmo 950 hasn’t disappointed yet. Yay!