iRobot Roomba 560 robot vac iRobot Roomba video guide

In 2001 Electrolux became the first company to successfully mass-produce a robotic vacuum cleaner with the Trilobite. However, its £1,000 price tag was too expensive for most people.

iRobot's director of EMEA Sales and Marketing Martijn Braam thinks household robots will become ‘must have’ appliances in the future: 'iRobot is about making a difference to people’s lives through practical and affordable robots. 

'Our vision is that in the future we will see robotic sections within department stores so consumers can choose from a range of robots to help with their everyday lives.'

UPDATE 11/10/2011: you can now read our First look review of the iRobot Roomba 780, the latest robot vacuum in the iRobot range.

Postponed: the Dyson DC06 robot vacuum cleaner

Upcoming robot vacuum cleaners

Other leading vacuum cleaner manufacturers are also working to develop robotic vacs. Dyson postponed the launch of its robotic vacuum cleaner, the DC06, in 2006. 

It is working to develop a more efficient, methodical robotic with good suction and performance at a realistic price - which will take some time.

Although we don’t think Dyson is likely to enter this market soon, we expect to see other big brands launch robotic vacs in the not too distant future. 

To see reviews of hundreds of regular vacuum cleaners, handheld vacs and stick vacuum cleaners, see our .

Is a robotic vacuum cleaner too good to be true?

Sales of robotic vacuum cleaners trebled to 7,000 in the UK between 2007 and 2008. They won’t replace your regular vacuum cleaner because they don’t give a really deep clean, but will give you a helping hand with day-to-day cleaning.

We think they’ll become increasingly popular, so we’ve had a look at the iRobot Roomba 560 to bring you our initial impressions - check out our video below to see it in action.

iRobot Roomba 560 video guide

Which? home editor Liz Edwards and vacuum cleaner expert Vivienne Fitzroy take a look at the iRobot Roomba 560.