Google Assistant is now compatible with floor cleaning robots: the Mountain View developers have added a new class of devices, precisely robot mops, which complements the already existing robot vacuums. Of course, now it will be up to the developers of the various brands to implement this integration with their devices and services.
Floor cleaning robots are less common than vacuum cleaners. They represent the “phase 2” of floor cleaning and generally work with soap and water (there are also some dry cleaning models). One of the best-known names in this particular sector is the Braava robot family from iRobot (which is already the most famous and the pioneer in the vacuum cleaner industry, with the Roomba family).
Floor cleaning robots will have a dedicated icon in the Google Assistant that will help them to be distinguished from vacuum cleaners. Precisely because they use aggressive methods to clean – and because some surfaces could get damaged if not treated with the right substances – Google provides the possibility to specify the areas of action: so the typical command will be something like “OK Google, wash the floor in the kitchen”. The hope is that even Xiaomi robots can enter Assistant, as they are the most “requested”.
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Developers can also create commands that will let the mop go back to its charging dock in case it runs out of power. Or you can also try to find out where the mop is currently cleaning in case you lose track of it somehow.
