Smart home
Dreame L10s Ultra Robot Vacuum Review: Decent Mop and Vacuum Combo
Xiaomi-backed Dreame, which manufactures a range of smart home devices, recently unveiled the Dreame L10s Ultra to this competitive market. Priced at Rs. 74,999 in India, this robotic vacuum cleaner can self-empty and self-clean and provides automatic dust collection, mopping, and drying support.
However, it’s discounted and sold at a much lower price on Amazon now (Rs. 58,999), so keep an eye out for this e-commerce listing, making it an even more interesting purchase.
Is the Dreame L10s Ultra worth considering over the competition? Find out in this review.
Dreame L10s Ultra: What’s in the box
The retail box of the Dreame L10s Ultra is quite heavy as it comes in a package weighing around 13 kilograms (the base station weighs 8.9 kilograms while the robot weighs 3.7 kilograms). Besides the robot and base station, the box includes two rotating mop pads, a bristleless rubber brush, a filter cleaning brush, a power cord, a multi-surface floor cleaner and a dust bag. The brand has packed an additional dust bag with the device. Dreame claims that one dust bag will be used for up to 60 days of cleaning, but you might have to buy more later, they are priced at 4,199 for four and a set of new accessories (a roller brush, two side brushes, two filters, six mop pads and two dust bags) costs Rs. 7,990. Given the overall price, a few more additional accessories could have been included.
Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Design
Setting up the Dreame L10s Ultra is painless. Mop pads can be connected to the built-in magnets, while side brushes can be clipped to the underside of the unit. After filling and inserting the fresh water tank and the cleaning detergent, the base station can be plugged into a power source. The device can be controlled remotely using Dreamehome or Mi Home apps. Alternatively, you can connect it to the Wi-Fi to access it with Alexa and Google Home.
The Dreame L10s Ultra has a premium round design with a white finish and a front-mounted camera for navigating through the rooms. The disc-shaped cleaning robot features a raised module for the inbuild LIDAR at the top for the navigation system. It has three buttons at the top: Spot Cleaning, Power (or clean) and Dock, and these can be used to perform the core functions without the need for a mobile phone. It has a flexible bumper and includes a laser distance sensor (LDS), AI visual sensor and line laser sensors. They recognise blocks in the way and show them on the map.
Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Setup, Mapping
In the first run, the Dreame L10s Ultra creates a 3D map for the floor spotting obstacles using its AI-backed RGB camera and 3D structured light. It memorises different paths, bedrooms, living rooms and dining areas by detecting walls, cupboards or pieces of furniture on the floor. We can create multiple maps for multi-floor houses and set no-go zones from the phone through the paired app. The robotic vacuum cleaner took approximately five minutes to map a 1200-square-foot apartment. It is considered part of my bedroom as a dining area in the first run, still, the mapping is impressively accurate.
Dreame L10s Ultra features an AI-backed RGB camera and 3D structured light
Dreame L10s Ultra Review: App
The paired app of Dearme L10s Ultra is loaded with customisation options. The main screen of the app displays the charge and cleaning status of the robots. You can schedule cleaning cycles, vacuum or mop or do both in specific rooms or zones and create no-go zones for areas that you don’t want to be cleaned. It can be sent to a specific room for vacuuming, mopping or doing both tasks simultaneously. Users can moist level and suction power. These can be regulated according to each area; isn’t that smart?
The main screen of the Dreamehome app displays the charge and cleaning status of the robots
Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Cleaning and performance
The key highlight of Dreamebot L10s Ultra is the self-cleaning mop and auto-emptying system. The robot automatically dries the mops and adds water and a cleaning solution. The station automatically refills detergent and water and supplies the robot hoover with liquid for the mopping function via a small tank. It is equipped with AI features and smart navigation to avoid collisions with walls and obstacles. To stop kids from getting their hands on the vacuum cleaner, you can activate the child lock by pressing and holding the Leave and Dry buttons on the base station. Also, while setting up, it asks questions about pets to enhance cleaning and avoid potential pet accidents around the house during cleaning tasks.
The onboard camera of Dreame L10s Ultra gives the status of cleaning while you are away. I found it effective when it gets stuck in a rug or gets trapped between the tangled straps of my crossbags. This doubles as a security camera and would benefit particularly pet owners. You have to set a four-digit activation code to set up the built-in RGB camera. It offers two-way audio, letting you prompt it to vacuum while you’re away at work. It cleans an area of three metres in two minutes.
The AI sensors of Dreame L10s Ultra allow it to run on carpets as well. Compared to normal rolles, it effectively picks up loose dust from small mats, thanks to the 5,300Pa suction power and bristleless rubber brush. It lifts its mop when detects carpet or mat. There are multiple alternatives with better suction power, but this is enough to pick up dirt in a regular household I felt. It sometimes changes its suction power to remove debris from carpets. The device does get very noisy at this point, and I still hear it at work, even from a different room. The loud noise is the major problem with setting the vacuum at the highest suction. The station is, though, quiet enough. The bot loudly speaks out what it is doing while starting or returning from the dock to clean the mops or recharge the battery. Additionally, the robot’s location can be viewed on the map while the cleaning is underway. It can be located easily.
Dreame L10s Ultra has a rubber brush instead of one with bristles
As a person with waist-length hair, I would praise Dreame for choosing a bristleless rubber brush, as it ideally prevents hair from getting tangled and stuck around the brush. The side brush, though, often gets wrapped around by strands, which I cleared after a few runs. So, it is supposed to work effectively with pet hairs. It automatically detects the change in floor type while running. The robot recognised ceramic tiles in my utility area with coarse textures while running and adjusted the behaviour accordingly.
Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Maintenance
The Dreame L10s Ultra’s base station’s water tank has a 2.5-litre capacity while the robot carries 80ml water, therefore, it doesn’t go to the base station frequently while cleaning unless the battery is running low in the middle of a cleaning task. After mopping, the robot winds its way back to the charging station and mops get cleaned automatically at the dock with cold water to eliminate odour. This could be less effective than using hot water. The dirt will then reach the dirty water tank of the base station and this can be manually removed. After cleaning mops will be dried with hot air. Using Dualboost 2.0 technology, the device blows air into the robot’s dust box and vacuums it into a dust bag in the station. This dirt is stored in a dust bag in the base station and can be manually emptied th when notified. Dreame claims one bag will last up to 60 days of cleaning, I was not near to full in two weeks of testing. Other maintenance includes opening the brush tray, removing it and cleaning up the dirt accumulated on the sides.
For charging, the Dreame L10s Ultra drives onto the docking station. The app shows battery life and the battery lasts up to 160 minutes in vacuuming and mopping the 800 carpet area (1,175 sqft) of the flat without requiring a charging break. It is worth noting that uncluttered rooms give the perfect vacuum and mopping job.
Dreame L10s Ultra Review: Verdict
If you’re looking for a fully automated robot vacuum mop that doesn’t require any cleaning effort on our part, consider the Dreame L10s Ultra, which comes with less manual maintenance. The self-emptying feature adds a hefty sum to the price tag but it is justifiable considering the existing functions from even premium models (Dreame L20 Ultra). The vacuuming and mopping functions are effective, and the robot hoover offers the option of using it as a moving surveillance camera. Though the robot costs Rs. 74,999, be aware that there are ongoing costs with this robot, such as accessory replacements and an approved cleaning solution. If you have mostly carpeted floors at home, this wouldn’t be a great choice. For people with bigger homes with different types of floors and pet parents with shedding animals, it’s worth considering. If you can in terms of the price tag, the L10s Ultra is among the best options you can buy today.
You can also check for affordable options from brands such as Xiaomi and Eureka Forbes if you are low on budget.
Dreame L10s Ultra
Price: 74,999
Rating: 8/10
Pros:
- Effective vacuum cleaning and mopping
- Self-emptying
- Onboard camera
- Smart mapping
- User-friendly app
Cons:
- Expensive
- Loud
- Extra accessories are not available
- Self-cleaning with hot water is missing
Amazon plans to charge $5 to $10 a month for its new “Remarkable” version of Alexa as it will use powerful generative AI to answer complex queries, while still offering the “Classic” voice assistant for free, Reuters reported in June.
But initial versions of the new Alexa using in-house software simply struggled for words, sometimes taking six or seven seconds to acknowledge a prompt and reply, one of the people said.
That’s why Amazon turned to Claude, an AI chatbot developed by startup Anthropic, as it performed better than the online retail giant’s own AI models, the people said.
Reuters based this story upon interviews with five people with direct knowledge of the Alexa strategy. All declined to be named as they are not authorized to discuss non-public matters.
Alexa, accessed mainly through Amazon televisions and Echo devices, can set timers, play music, act as a central hub for smart home controls and answer one-off questions.
But Amazon’s attempts to convince users to shop through Alexa to generate more revenue have been mostly unsuccessful and the division remains unprofitable.
As a result, senior management has stressed that 2024 is a critical year for Alexa to finally demonstrate it can generate meaningful sales – and the revamped paid version is seen as a way both to do that and keep pace with rivals.
“Amazon uses many different technologies to power Alexa,” a company spokeswoman said in a statement in response to detailed Reuters questions for this story.
“When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different models – including (Amazon AI model) Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partners – to build the best experience for customers,” the spokeswoman said.
Anthropic, in which Amazon owns a minority stake, declined to comment for this story.
AI Partnerships
Amazon has typically eschewed relying on technology it hasn’t developed in-house so it can ensure it has full control of the user experience, data collection and direct relationships with customers.
But it would not be alone in turning to a partner to improve AI products. Microsoft and Apple, for example, have both struck partnerships with OpenAI to use its ChatGPT to power some of their products.
The release of the Remarkable Alexa, as it is known internally, is expected in October, with a preview of the new service coming during Amazon’s annual devices and services event typically held in September, the people said.
Amazon has not yet said, however, when it plans to hold its showcase event, which will be the first major public appearance of its new devices chief, Panos Panay, who was hired last year to replace long-time executive David Limp.
The wide release in late 2022 of ChatGPT, which gives full-sentence answers almost instantaneously to complicated queries, set off a frenzy of investing and corporate maneuvering to develop better AI software for a variety of functions, including image, video and voice services.
By comparison, Amazon’s decade-old Alexa appeared outmoded, Amazon workers have told Reuters.
While Amazon has a mantra of “working backwards from the customer” to come up with new services, some of the people said that within the Alexa group, the emphasis since last year has instead been on keeping up with competitors in the AI race.
Amazon workers also have expressed skepticism that customers would be willing to pay $60 to $120 per year for a service that’s free today – on top of the $139 many already pay for their Prime memberships.
Alexa Upgrades
As envisioned, the paid version of Alexa would carry on conversations with a user that build on prior questions and answers, the people with knowledge of the Alexa strategy said.
The upgraded Alexa is designed to allow users to seek shopping advice such as which clothes to buy for a vacation and to aggregate news stories, the people said. And it is meant to carry out more complicated requests, such as ordering food or drafting emails all from a single prompt.
Amazon hopes the new Alexa will also be a supercharged home automation hub, remembering customer preferences so that, say, morning alarms are set, or the television knows to record favorite shows even when a user forgets to, they said.
The company’s plans for Alexa, however, could be delayed or altered if the technology fails to meet certain internal benchmarks, the people said, without giving further details.
Bank of America analyst Justin Post estimated in June that there are roughly 100 million active Alexa users and that about 10% of those might opt for the paid version of Alexa. Assuming the low end of the monthly price range, that would bring in at least $600 million in annual sales.
Amazon says it has sold 500 million Alexa-enabled devices but does not disclose how many active users there are.
Announcing a deal to invest $4 billion in Anthropic in September last year, Amazon said its customers would gain early access to its technology. Reuters could not determine if Amazon would have to pay Anthropic additionally for the use of Claude in Alexa.
Amazon declined to discuss the details of its agreements with the startup. Alphabet’s Google has also invested at least $2 billion in Anthropic.
The retailer, along with Google, is facing a formal probe from the UK’s antitrust regulator over the Anthropic deal and its impact on competition. It announced an initial investigation in August and said it has 40 working days to decide whether to move it to a more heightened stage of scrutiny.
The Washington Post earlier reported the October time frame for release of the new Alexa.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Apple AI-Powered Tabletop Robotic Device Uses
In his weekly Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple’s purported tabletop device will likely launch in 2026 or 2027. It will reportedly be equipped with a robotic actuator that would control the in-built iPad-like screen at the top, allowing its 360-degree rotation and tilt movement. The device is said to have been codenamed J595.
As per Gurman, the purported robotic device would fulfill three purposes:
- Function as a portable computer in non-ideal locations
- Help in capturing images or taking videoconference calls by functioning as a tripod with an iPad
- Serve as a remote home security surveillance tool when the user is not at home
While the device isn’t even official, the report speculates that the device’s display could swivel when the user wants to take video conferencing calls in non-ideal locations, such as the kitchen. It could also gain spatial awareness courtesy of special hardware and software, in addition to integrated AI capabilities.
The idea for the tabletop robotic device is reported to have been approved by the company in 2022 but its development has only gained pace in recent months, following the cancellation of the Apple Car project. Its development is said to be solely being spearheaded by Kevin Lynch, who led the company’s former project.
Previous reports have suggested that the purported device could also become Apple’s first home gadget to get features powered by Apple Intelligence – its AI suite. Gurman also suggested that it may also respond to commands such as “look at me”, by repositioning the screen to face the speaker, leveraging the company’s voice assistant Siri.
However, it could be an expensive affair. According to Gurman, the iPhone maker is said to be working to bring its price down to $1000 (roughly Rs. 84,000).
Dreame New Vacuum Cleaners Price in India
The Dreame L10 Prime is priced at Rs. 45.999 in India, while the Dreame D10 Plus Gen 2 comes with a price tag of Rs. 39,999. The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2’s price is set at Rs. 29,999. The Dreame H12 Dual is priced at Rs 36,999. The Dreame Mova J10, Mova J20 and Mova J30 are priced at Rs. 7,999; Rs. 10,999 and Rs. 13,999, respectively.
Dreame L10 Prime, D10 Plus Gen 2, D9 Max Gen 2 specifications
The Dreame L10 Prime vacuum and mop combo features dual rotary mop pads that rotate at 180RPM (revolutions per minute). After mopping is completed, the mop is raised by 7mm when returning to the base station. The self-cleaning machine comes with 4,000Pa suction power and features a bristleless rubber brush. The robot cleaner identifies carpets and rugs and uses LiDAR navigation and a SLAM algorithm for mapping. For multi-floor buildings, it makes three separate 3D floor maps to clean and navigate. It is compatible with the Dreamehome app that lets users make virtual boundaries, set no-mop zones, customise cleaning time, and more.
The Dreame D10 Plus Gen 2 boasts a self-cleaning mop and auto-emptying system. The robot provides 6,000Pa of suction power. The 2-in-1 dual action cleaner that comes with cleaning and mopping capabilities features a rubber brush and allows users to choose moisture level. It includes 4 litre dust bag capacity and Dreame claims one bag can last up to 90 days of cleaning. Beyond the Dreamehome app, it is comparable with Alexa, Siri and Google Home.
Meanwhile, the entry-level Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 can sweep and mop at the same time. It offers 6,000Pa suction power and includes a rubber brush. Both Dreame D10 Plus Gen 2 and D9 Max Gen 2 use the company’s Smart Pathfinder technology to navigate across different spaces and return to the dock.
Dreame H12 Dual specifications
The Dreame H12 Dual is a cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner that is claimed to wipe the floor 520 times per minute. It carries a 900ml clean water tank and allows users to switch between different operation modes like auto, suction, standard, and turbo. It comes with a self-cleaning feature and hot air drying is done for the brush after self-cleaning with a roller brush, brush scraper, and serrated bristles. It carries a 6×4,000mAh battery pack.
Dreame Move J10, Move J20 and Move J30 specifications
The Dreame Move J30, Move J20 and Move J10 are cordless stick vacuum cleaners. The Move J30 model features a 450W brushless motor and is advertised to deliver up to 60 minutes of cleaning time. The Mova J20 boasts a 250W brushless motor and is claimed to provide up to 50 minutes of cleaning time. The Mova J10 features a 150W brushless motor and is said to deliver up to 35 minutes of cleaning time.
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