Robot Vacuum Cleaner Software Updates
Frequently asked questions
The Kobold VR300 offers first-rate dust pick-up thanks to its efficient and silent brushless motor, the specially designed fan that generates a very high airflow and the enhanced brushes. The innovative D-shape and the optimum side brush location help ensure dust is removed from all corners and edges. The slim design of the robot is suitable for smart and efficient in-depth cleaning – even underneath furniture. The integrated laser distance sensor provides the Kobold VR300 with an intelligent and precise navigation system. It is also equipped with infra-red sensors for wall tracking and drop-down prevention. As a result of the advanced features of the Kobold Robot app, such as the virtual No-Go lines, the tasks of managing the robot and planning home cleaning just got even more innovative and smart.
As a top-level device with excellent durability, the Kobold VR300 is produced in our Vorwerk factories across the globe.
The basic unit of the Kobold VR300 includes a main brush, a charging base, a power cable, a side brush, a dirt bin, a user manual and a filter.
The Kobold VR300 is one of the most advanced robot vacuum cleaners on the market. Based on the laser distance sensor, the integrated localisation and mapping technology enables highly precise and systematic cleaning. Whereas alternative camera-based technologies are sometimes limited by the light conditions, the Kobold VR300 delivers very high surface coverage in every light situation. The D-shaped design and the high performance side-brush of the new robot vacuum cleaner provide optimum cleaning along edges and in corners, while the infra-red sensor enables precise wall tracking. Vorwerk also offers an app in which all the features of the robot and additional functions can be used with the familiar convenience and flexibility of a smart device.
We evolved a new driving algorithm and an innovative main brush for the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, which rotates 1,800 times per minute to ensure first-rate vacuuming. The robot can also be switched from Normal mode to Eco mode to ensure quieter operation and longer runtime. In addition, the robot is designed to overcome obstacles that have a height of up to 2 cm and carpets with a height of up to 1.5 cm. Coupled with its ability to clean underneath low furniture and the “Spot” cleaning program, this helps the robot deliver outstanding vacuuming performance.
Thanks to its high capacity lithium-ion battery, the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner is able to clean for up to 60 minutes. A cleaning duration of up to 90 minutes and an area of up to 120 square meters can be achieved in Eco mode. The Kobold VR300 automatically returns to its charging base when its battery runs low. Once it is recharged, it continues cleaning wherever it left off.
Yes, the infra-red sensors enable the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner to detect and avoid stairs – and the ultrasound sensors provide soft-touch navigation. This means a slow, gentle and a very controlled approach towards objects, even including mirrors and transparent materials such as glass.
The capacity of the dirt bin in the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner amounts to 0.530 litres. The innovative suction opening enables convenient and particularly hygienic cleaning of the dirt bin, which helps keep the robot itself spick and span. The new efficient and permanent filter system for the Kobold VR300 includes a pre-filter, safeguarding the long-term quality and durability of the filter itself.
The design of the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner aims to make the use and handling of the robot easy and intuitive for users, which is why we focused on simplifying the user interface. The start button is used to switch the robot on or off, while the touch buttons allow users to select different cleaning modes according their needs. By selecting the “Base” option via the corresponding touch button, it is possible to send the robot back to its base station. Users can also turn the Wi-Fi connectivity on and off via the user interface.
The modern user interface of the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner contains LEDs that indicate the status of certain aspects of the robot. During the charging process, the LEDs display the charging level – and the robot is fully recharged once all the LEDs are lit. Orange LEDs indicate that the dirt bin needs to be emptied. The Wi-Fi LED on the Kobold VR300 user interface shows the status of the Wi-Fi connectivity: the Wi-Fi LED lights up when the robot is connected to the Wi-Fi and goes out whenever this feature is off. The Wi-Fi LEDs blink slowly to indicate that the robot is in hotspot mode and that it is possible to establish a connection between the robot and a smart device. If the Wi-Fi LED should flash, this means the robot is searching for the Wi-Fi to either build or re-establish a connection. The same flashing behaviour can also be observed during an “over the air” software update.
The ultrasound sensor enables a “soft-touch obstacle approach”, with intelligent barrier detection by the Kobold VR300. This innovative technique prevents the robot from potentially causing damage by contacting obstacles at full speed. Users can set No-Go lines to prevent the robot from entering specific areas, such as floors covered with loose objects. Infra-red sensors prevent the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner from falling down stairs or getting into difficulty with doorsills. Thanks to its ability to navigate obstacles with a height of up to 2 cm and carpets with a height of up to 1.5 cm, the robot overcomes doorsills with ease and provides thorough cleaning throughout the home.
Yes, the Kobold VR300 can map various rooms on one storey. The robot vacuum cleaner scans the storey floor by floor and saves the results in a Floor Plan, which is then visualised in the app.
In the “All Rooms” and “Spot” cleaning programs, the Kobold VR300 performs completely autonomous navigation and no user input is required. Users have the option of driving the robot like a remote-controlled car thanks to the manual cleaning mode available via the Kobold Robot app.
Users can control the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner via the innovative user interface and the Kobold Robot app.
The Kobold Robot app simplifies daily cleaning in one-storey houses and flats as it enables users to control the cleaning process even if they are not at home. The app contains new features like the Floor Plan, No-Go lines and the Cleaning Overview. We have further developed the Kobold Robot app and created a new modern design to enable even smarter handling of the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner. Users can switch between different cleaning programs using the app, with “All Rooms” and “Spot” cleaning both also available in Eco mode. Users can operate the robot as desired during manual cleaning and they are notified by the app when the dust bin or the filter has to be cleaned. In the unlikely event that the Kobold VR300 becomes stuck while cleaning, a push notification will be sent to the user. Finally, users are informed if an update is available for their robot – and this can be installed via a single tap of the screen in the app.
When the exploration process is selected in the Kobold Robot app, the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner scans all rooms line by line and creates a Floor Plan: a map of the home as used in the app. If users set No-Go lines within this Floor Plan, the Kobold VR300 avoids crossing the user’s defined borders. Users can update the Floor Plan at any time simply by selecting the exploration process again.
No-Go lines are user-defined borders for the robot. Users can create No-Go lines within the Floor Plan using the Kobold Robot app – and the Kobold VR300 will not cross these boundaries. The zones defined by the No-Go lines enable a cleaning process adapted to the user’s needs.
The function for displaying the No-Go lines is only included in the Kobold Robot app. If the robot vacuum cleaner is started via the user interface on the robot, the Kobold VR300 will not take the No-Go lines into account and will therefore access all reachable areas.
The Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner creates a Cleaning Overview after each completed cleaning process. A Cleaning Overview shows the area covered and contains information about the size of the cleaned area as well as the duration of cleaning. The areas that have been covered and those omitted by the robot are shown in different colours in the overview so that the user can easily identify them.
Yes, users can develop daily cleaning plans with the Kobold Robot app. The robot will then automatically switch itself on according to the pre-defined cleaning plan. Users can also activate the plan when they are not at home. The “All Rooms” and “Spot” cleaning programs, manual cleaning and Eco mode can also be set via the app. Users can pause and restart the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner during operation and send it back to its base station using the app.
No, the Kobold VR300 can also be controlled via its user interface. However, specific features such as the Floor Plan, the No-Go lines and the Cleaning Overview that help enhance the cleaning process can only be used via the app.
The Kobold Robot app can be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play. The app, which is named “Kobold Robot”, is available for iOS (10.2 and above) and Android (4.1.0 and above) and can be downloaded free of charge.
Yes, the Kobold VR300 Robot Vacuum Cleaner can be updated via the Kobold Robot app while using an internet connection – a process known as an “over the air” update. Users will be notified through the Kobold Robot app as soon as there is new software available for the Kobold VR300. The link provided within the notification features more information about the update. Users simply have to tap the relevant button and the robot will start updating itself.