A robotic cleaner for cleaning a surface with a cleaning cloth, the robotic cleaner comprising:na main robot body comprising:na drive system configured to drive the robotic cleaner in a forward direction toward the surface to be cleaned; anda microcontroller configured to control the movement of the robotic cleaner;a cleaning assembly connected at a front end of the main robot body whereby the cleaning assembly is in front of the main robot body when driven in the forward direction; wherein the cleaning assembly is configured to detachably hold the cleaning cloth; wherein the cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning pad configured to press the cleaning cloth against the surface to be cleaned; andat least one drop sensor connected to the cleaning assembly, each drop sensor comprising a member configured to move a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned; wherein the member is configured to apply pressure to the cleaning cloth and to protrude outward with respect to the cleaning pad when at least a portion of the cleaning cloth losses contact with the surface to be cleaned.
›2.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning assembly is characterized by a first width perpendicular to the forward direction of the robotic …d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning assembly is characterized by a first width perpendicular to the forward direction of the robotic cleaner, wherein the main robot body is characterized by a second width perpendicular to the forward direction of the robotic cleaner, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width.
›3.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning assembly is detachably connected to the main robot body.d2+1
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning assembly is detachably connected to the main robot body.
›4.↳ 3The robotic cleaner of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the cleaning assembly to the main robot body.d3
The robotic cleaner of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the cleaning assembly to the main robot body.
›5.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an electrical interface coupling the cleaning assembly to the main robot body, the electrical inter…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an electrical interface coupling the cleaning assembly to the main robot body, the electrical interface configured to provide sensor data from the at least one drop sensor from the cleaning assembly to the main robot body.
›6.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main robot body comprises a drop sensor at a back end of the main robot body.d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the main robot body comprises a drop sensor at a back end of the main robot body.
›7.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cloth is a dry cloth.d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cloth is a dry cloth.
›8.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cloth is a wet cloth.d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cloth is a wet cloth.
›9.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a current sensor coupled to the microcontroller and the drive system comprising a motor; wherein th…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a current sensor coupled to the microcontroller and the drive system comprising a motor; wherein the microcontroller is configured to identify interference between the robotic cleaner and an obstacle based, in part, on changes in a current drawn by the motor.
›10.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a gyroscope coupled to the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller is configured to identify i…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a gyroscope coupled to the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller is configured to identify interference between the robotic cleaner and an obstacle based, in part, on changes in orientation of the robotic cleaner sensed by the gyroscope.
›11.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer coupled to the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller is configured to ident…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer coupled to the microcontroller; wherein the microcontroller is configured to identify interference between the robotic cleaner and an obstacle based, in part, on changes in velocity of the robotic cleaner sensed by the accelerometer.
›12.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising at least one retractable bumper connected to the main robot body via the cleaning assembly, wherein…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising at least one retractable bumper connected to the main robot body via the cleaning assembly, wherein the at least one retractable bumper is configured to:nextend in front of the cleaning cloth when not in contact with an obstacle, andretract behind the cleaning cloth when in contact with an obstacle.
›13.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the robotic cleaner along a wall with the cleaning assembly maintai…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the robotic cleaner along a wall with the cleaning assembly maintaining pressure against the wall.
›14.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the robotic cleaner perpendicular against a wall.d2+1
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the robotic cleaner perpendicular against a wall.
›15.↳ 14The robotic cleaner of claim 14, wherein the microcontroller is configured to:nrotate the robotic cleaner ninety degrees after driving the robotic cle…d3
The robotic cleaner of claim 14, wherein the microcontroller is configured to:nrotate the robotic cleaner ninety degrees after driving the robotic cleaner perpendicular against the wall; andthen drive the robotic cleaner parallel to the wall.
›16.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising one or more light detectors; wherein the robotic cleaner is configured to:ndetermine its position i…d2
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising one or more light detectors; wherein the robotic cleaner is configured to:ndetermine its position in response to the light detectors; andnavigate based on the determined position.
›17.↳ 1The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to automatically navigate to a docking station.d2+1
The robotic cleaner of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to automatically navigate to a docking station.
›18.↳ 17The robotic cleaner of claim 17, further configured to be charged at the docking station.d3
The robotic cleaner of claim 17, further configured to be charged at the docking station.
