iRobot has announced the third generation model of the Looj series which is a gutter-cleaning range- the Looj 330, which has been upgraded on safety, performance and usability.
As far as the safety goes, the primary concern was the operator not falling off the ladder. This meant making the bot easy to use and interact with. The handle can be hung on a convenient belt loop so both hands can be used when going up and down from the roof. To optimize performance, the Looj 330 has interchangeable cleaning tips, a four-stage 500RPM motor, multiple speeds, and a slimmer design. The bot has also been upgraded to a 7.2V lithium-ion battery, making it the first consumer iRobot device to go this route.
The striking factor is that the Looj now has an autonomous mode, where it will clean the gutter and return to the starting spot on its own. Also the bot has moved to a 2.4GHz wireless signal so the communication range between the controls on the handle and the robot have been increased. The max range is rated at 50 feet, but iRobot’s representative made it clear that this number is under poor conditions, under optimal ones the range should be considerably more. Also, the handle is now a full loop, so the chance of dropping it is greatly diminished, and there is a optional carrying case which will hold the Looj and all its accessories.
The Looj 330 is priced at $299 and the accessory kit with carrying case will be $99.
