Ecovacs Winbot sucks glass to clean your panes
The Winbot can also detect edges when it cleans glass walls.
(Credit: Tim Hornyak/CNET)
LAS VEGAS–Robots that wash your windows are another dream of domestic automation, but most early models involve a cumbersome two-part unit that goes on both sides of a pane.
At CES 2013, China-based Ecovacs is showing off a new version of its Winbot window washer, one that doesn’t require a magnetic support on the other side of the glass.
Just stick the Winbot 7 series on the window, press start, and it starts moving up and down. That’s a lot easier than handling two machines.
It can work wirelessly on a battery charge, but when used above ground level it’s best to attach a safety cable, which doubles as a power supply, to the unit and the window itself.
Winbot was exhibited at IFA 2012, and it’s billed as the only bot of its kind that cleans glass of any thickness, even Thermopanes. But it won’t work on frosted glass or panes with writing or signage on them.