Hasta La Gadget!

Robots are taking over, one household chore at a time. Joining the ranks of the iRobot Roomba and Scooba is Mint, an automatic floor cleaner from Evolution Robotics. Featured recently on Rachel Ray, it sweeps and mops, but only on tile, wood, vinyl, linoleum, and laminate floors. Carpeted homes need not apply.

Unlike its cleaning compadres, the Mint does not require its own cleaning fluid or store dirt in a compartment (that’s messy to empty). Instead, it has a removable cleaning microfiber cloth attached to the bumper. Turn on the Sweep mode, and the Mint sweeps the floor; you can wash and reuse for as long as the cloth lasts. Turn on Mop mode with a wet cloth attached for easy mopping.

It is also designed to work with Swiffer’s disposable dry and premoistened cleaning cloths. Similar products from store brands like Rite-Aid and Target would work, too. Now you can retire your Swiffer mop and let the robot use the cleaning supplies.

The Mint comes with a rechargeable battery, power adapter and a NorthStar guidance beacon to prevent it from leaving the room.

Shipments are expect sometime before the end of the summer, although there is no confirmed date yet. The Mint is priced at $249, but Evolution Robotics is currently accepting reservations for $20. When the units are available, you can pay the balance to complete the order.