In my opinion, “auto” modes are one of the best innovations on the vacuum cleaner market. The operation exactly of such a mode will vary depending on the model (and its cost); But, in general, the auto mode will see the increase in vacuum or power decrease depending on the surface which is approached, avoiding you to have to manually switch between different parameters when you clean.
A number of the best wireless vacuums on the market have a kind of automation mode, but that of the animal piston v16 – the flagship vacuum cleaner of Dyson newly announced – is particularly intelligent.
Dyson first introduced an automatic mode on its V11 vacuum, and it has regularly become more advanced to each new version. I asked a Dyson engineer exactly how the latest version worked.
“We now control Brush for speed and aspiration,” said Steph Parker, who helped design the V16. “It is intelligently understood if you are on a hard ground or a carpet and you change the two accordingly. Historically, we have only advanced the suction, but not as intelligently, and certainly not to the extreme of the brush bar too.” The result is the most effective cleaning using the slightest amount of battery life – a key goal for any wireless empty.
On carpet floors, the brushroll in rotation is important because it waves the carpet fibers to release the dirt that is trapped inside. However, on a hard ground, the dust is on the surface, which means that you do not need that the roller swirls.
“On hard floors, you don’t need to turn your brush bar,” continues Steph. “By slowing down the pace, you save energy. And being less aggressive on hard floors is also good.”
This last point is relevant because the two previous flagship models of Dyson (Gen5detect and V15 detection) included a distinct and entirely soft floor head, in particular for delicate hard floors; With the V16, a floor head does everything.
The new “All Floor Cones Sense” floor head includes strips of soft material for hard floors and hair for the carpet. The hairs are slightly cut to contact the carpet fibers, but not on hard floors.
The roller adjustment is only part of the equation. Like the two previous models, the V16 has sensors in its floor head which allow it to determine the size and volume of the suckled particles. The vacuum then uses this information to increase or reduce suction power appropriately to erase dirt. He will also report in real time, on his screen.
What are other brands doing?
Dyson is not the only brand to amplify its automation efforts. Today’s best shark vacuum cleaners have all kinds of detection capacities. Models such as wireless pro detection and POWERDETECT can adjust the cleaning power depending on the type of floor and dirt levels, but can also feel when they are close to a room – where dust can accumulate – and accelerate the suction on the relevant side of the ground in response.
Samsung is another brand that explores more advanced automation features. Like the V16, the Samsung Bespoke Jet Ai Ultra can also adjust the speed and suction of the brush depending on the type of floor. However, Samsung goes further, saying that his vacuum can pierce to determine specific types of floor, from dense carpet to carpets, using AI. It will then adjust the suction power and the brush speed to provide a cleaning power equivalent to the use of the “MID” mode, while saving the power of the battery without reaching the point that the vacuum cleaner is too difficult to push in a room.
