We all know that we need to “stop and smell the roses” but for those of us who are enamoured with tech, it is good to stop and fully take in the huge advancements that are all around us, especially at home. On that front manufacturing giant Xiaomi is offering robotic assistants right in your home with its Robot Vacuum range, and the S10 model is of note.

The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 is available in South Africa now through Takealot, Yuppiechef and Tafelberg for a RRP of just R5 999. Considering that this is a laser-guided robot that not only vacuums but also mops, that reasonable today price for advanced tomorrow technology looks even better.

Let’s start with that laser system before we get to the cleaning. The S10 houses a raised LDS sensor array in a small housing on the top of the chassis. You may recognise this familiar circular housing from other autonomous machines which mount their sensors in a similar way. From here the S10 has a 360 degree view of its surroundings which it can use to navigate any environment, avoiding obstacles and cleaning as it goes.

With an eight metre scanning range this robot can happily dart around any floor with peace of mind. Mechanisms such as the cliff sensor keep it safe even in locations with stairs, and it detects surroundings in real times to minimise bumps. While your S10 won’t be bumping into walls, it will still get very close to them to ensure a thorough cleaning. The smart corner coverage system follows walls closely without hitting them.

All this smart guidance is in service of the double vacuum and mopping prowess of this robot. The strong 4 000 Pa suction fan has four modes to suck up any debris, no matter the size. Silent Mode deals with the miniscule particles while also reducing noise, perfect for daily cleaning. As the size of the items on the ground increases, simply change modes. Standard, Medium and Turbo modes all tackle progressively larger debris so you never have to bust out the dustpan.

For mopping the Smart Water Tank cleverly balances its water use for the best mopping that doesn’t overly wet the floor. Those with different flooring types at home or at work will appreciate this feature, especially when regular mopping can make rooms a no-go area as you wait for the water to dry.

Working off of a large 3 200 mAh battery, you can get up to 130 minutes of cleaning time on Standard Mode, enough to clean smaller spaces multiple times or larger areas in one go, all without a trip to the charger.