- iRobot deploys its Remote Check In function
- Users can freely use the built-in camera of Roomba J7
- What about privacy?
Almost two years ago, iRobot formalized its new Roomba J7 range, with the most “intelligent” model ever developed by the firm. In addition to integrating iRobot Genius 3.0, an artificial intelligence capable of learning from your habits, the vacuum cleaner also has a small camera, for a more precise vision, and thus avoid certain obstacles. If we already knew that the cameras were able to capture videos, today it becomes a feature in its own right.
Some Roomba vacuum cleaners evolve like a “security camera”
Indeed, the Remote Check In function was launched at the end of last year, as part of the iRobot beta program. This allows owners of a vacuum cleaner from the Roomba J7 range (who have activated the beta program) to use the camera integrated into the latter… as a surveillance camera. This was currently reserved for a handful of users only.
But, for the past few days, this same Remote Check In function has been being rolled out to all users. This is not a “new” strictly speaking (other vacuum cleaners with a camera already offer this same function, from Samsung or even Roborock), but it is the first time that this is offered on a Roomba vacuum cleaner .
Concretely, like what can be done with a video surveillance system (of the Arlo type or other), it is possible, from your smartphone and the Roomba application, to “see through the eye of his vacuum cleaner“. In particular, you can access a control screen and control the robot anywhere, while taking advantage of its video capture system.
iRobot explains: “the feature allows viewing live video from a designated vantage point inside their home, or driving the robot directly from the docking station to a desired location to check the status of the House.” Obviously, it is not a question here of using the vacuum cleaner as a surveillance camera, but rather as a mobile robotic camera, which allows you to check, remotely, if you have closed the door properly when you leave, if the dog has not settled on the sofa, or if the family is still sleeping when you have just arrived at the office.
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In the past, iRobot has been at the center of various privacy controversies with its cards and cameras. Also, the firm promises that users’ private data is a priority, and that the function is not only optional, but also configured “off” by default. Moreover, there is no recording possible, only the broadcasting of a video stream, which is not recordable, or even visible, by iRobot. Finally, when the function is active, the LED button of the vacuum cleaner lights up green and the robot emits a small regular sound signal.
iRobot specifies that this Remote Check In function is currently only available in the United States, and through the application on iOS only.
