iRobot's new Roomba Plus 505 robot vacuum and mop combo includes LiDAR and Matter-compatibility

iRobot is giving its smart home lineup a complete overhaul later this month with today's introduction of eight new robotic vacuum cleaners. While most of the line is playing catch up to other vendors with technologies like LiDAR, one vacuum—the Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot+AutoWash Dock—stands out with its inclusion of Matter smart home capabilities.

Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot+AutoWash Dock: why it matters

As its name suggests, the Rooma Plus 505 Combo Robot+AutoWash Dock is an advanced 2-in-1 solution that offers complete home cleaning with vacuuming and mopping functionality. When it comes to vacuuming the Roomba Plus 505 Combo features 7,000 Pa suction power which, according to iRobot, offers up to 70x more suction intensity than its previous Roomba 600 series when combined with its automatic CarpetBoost mode.

For mopping, the 505 Combo sports a pair of DualClean scrubbing pads that offer 18% greater coverage thanks to an extension arm that allows it to get into hard-to-reach places like corners and along walls. The 505 Combo can also lift its mopping pads—up to 10mm high—in order to avoid damaging sensitive surfaces like rugs and carpets.

Both mopping and vacuuming modes are aided by iRobot's inclusion of a ClearView Pro LiDAR navigation system that finally brings real-time viewing and precision mapping to the company's robot line. When cleaning is complete, the 505 Combo will empty itself into the AutoWash dock which stores up to 75 days' worth of debris, and self-clean and dry its mop pads with a pair of onboard water tanks.

As with previous vacuums from the company, users will be able to access remote controls, create schedules, review maps, and adjust various settings via a revamped version of the iRobot app. Through Matter, users can also connect the Roomba Plus 505 Combo to their favorite smart home ecosystems—including Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and Samsung SmartThings—for hands-free voice controls.

The Roomba Plus 505 Combo comes just in time for Apple's upcoming iOS 18.4 software release which adds robot vacuum controls for the first time to its Home app. Although exact Matter features haven't been shared by iRobot, we expect to see basic controls for all ecosystems such as the ability to start and stop cycles, mop and vacuum mode switching, and toggles for presets like deep cleaning.

Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot+AutoWash Dock: pricing and availability

The Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot+AutoWash Dock will be available for pre-order through irobot.com starting March 18th for select EU markets and the US. The vacuum will be available in two finishes—black and white—and general retail availability will begin March 23rd with pricing starting at €799/$999 respectively when it hits store shelves.

For more on the Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot+AutoWash Dock and other Matter-compatible robot vacuums, stay tuned to Matter Alpha.

(Source and images: iRobot)