Panasonic | Panasonic RULO Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

Panasonic｜パナソニック

Triangular corners reach into room corners, thoroughly sweeping up dust.

The RULO robot vacuum cleaner, MC-RS1, is newly released.

A robot vacuum cleaner that thoroughly addresses the biggest concern for users – dust in room corners – is scheduled for release by Panasonic on March 20th (Friday). This innovative model boasts features such as a dust detection sensor and an autonomous navigation system.

Text by TAN Miho（OPENERS）

Thorough Cleaning with the "Reuleaux Triangle" and "Dust Detection Sensor"

According to Panasonic's research, approximately 46% of robot vacuum cleaner users are dissatisfied with dust collection in room corners. Addressing this concern, Panasonic has developed the RULO MC-RS1, a robot vacuum cleaner with an iconic triangular shape.

The inspiration for this product comes from the constant width shape created by the 19th-century German mechanical engineer, Franz Reuleaux. The RULO MC-RS1, born from the inspiration of the "Reuleaux triangle" which, when rotated, maintains a constant diameter and can rotate inscribed within a square, smoothly navigates and rotates. Its "corners" reach into room corners, and it sweeps up dust with its side brushes by turning its body. It has established a new standard for thoroughly removing dust and dirt that was previously hard to reach.

Furthermore, small brushless motors are used for the drive motors of the navigation and brush systems. The sensors have also been miniaturized and efficiently arranged internally. This focus on compact size is a major factor in its success in reaching room corners.

The RULO MC-RS1's features don't end there. Another notable aspect is the inclusion of a "Dust Detection Sensor" that can detect even invisible fine dust. When a high concentration of dust is detected, the vacuum adjusts its speed, performs back-and-forth or oscillating movements, and demonstrates highly efficient autonomous cleaning. The ability to visualize the amount of dust is also a key appeal. The indicator lights up green when dust levels are low and blinks red when they are high.

Equipped with Diverse Sensors for Unique Navigation

The "Round & Random Navigation" system, independently developed to efficiently clean the entire room, is another characteristic of the RULO MC-RS1. This original navigation system combines infrared and ultrasonic sensors that detect distance from walls and obstacles, along with gyro control for direction recognition.

It first performs "Round Navigation," focusing on corners and walls where dust tends to accumulate, and then transitions to "Random Navigation" to efficiently cover the rest of the room, thereby cleaning the entire space effectively.

Additionally, it features an "Area Memory Function" that allows the vacuum to navigate to a pre-programmed location and begin cleaning from a desired spot.

It is available in two colors: white and black. Sales are scheduled to begin on Friday, March 20th.

RULO MC-RS1
Suggested Retail Price | Open Price
Monthly Production Volume | 5,000 units
Battery Life | Approx. 1,500 charge/discharge cycles
Product Dimensions | W330×D325×H92mm
Product Weight | 3.0kg
Charging Time | 3 hours (when charging from empty battery, at ambient temperature of 20°C)
Operating Time | Approx. 60 minutes (in auto mode)
※ Automatically determined based on room size and dust volume. Operating time may vary for the same room size depending on charging dock location, furniture arrangement, dust volume, etc.
Continuous Use Time | Approx. 100 minutes (fully charged, initial battery, at 20°C)
Operating Modes | Auto, Thorough, Spot, Area Memory
Dust Sensor | Dust Detection Sensor
Navigation Sensors and Control | Infrared sensor, Ultrasonic sensor, Gyro