House helper - Who is familiar with robots?

So we have had one from Xiaomi for several years and are very satisfied. Back then it was quite complicated to get the app running in English, maybe it’s easier now. It doesn’t replace a proper vacuum cleaner, but we often let it vacuum in between or additionally after normal vacuuming. You’d be surprised what else it finds in terms of dust and dirt. We don’t let it vacuum unattended (e.g. daily at fixed times) since it once tried to suck up our cat’s vomit... I saw it in time, but cleaning was not pleasant....

We have an older Neato model. It has been in daily use for almost 6 years. However, we are now upgrading to a new Neato (without mopping function), since the new models can be assigned "NoGo-Areas" via the app. That way, we don’t always have to put away our little one’s play tipi.

In our household, a three-year-old is running wild and we have cantilever chairs. Neither is a problem. The little one knows how to tidy up, and the robot manages the chairs just fine.

Hello,

it also depends on your budget. Do you want one with laser navigation, or is the old technology sufficient? Is mopping important to you, etc.
There are various test reports of vacuum robots on YouTube. Currently, the Roborock S5 Max comes out as the winner. Feel free to question that critically.
The Stiftung Warentest has also tested them.

We have a vacuum/mop robot from Viomi for the ground floor. Since we have tiles everywhere, a usable mopping function was important to us. It does fulfill that. Of course, it is only a supplement, but I was positively surprised by the result.

Our two children (3 years old) & cats get along well with "Mopi" as long as he is not running. Then he becomes too suspicious for them, and they keep a bit of a safety distance.
When the children drop something, it always means: Mopi has to run again.

Best regards

My wife wanted an iRobot for the ground floor, as it is an open 61 sqm. She says that was the mentioned purchase from her point of view so far. It runs daily and maintains a basic order. It doesn't make sense on the upper floor because the kids always leave something on the floor.

Is such a vacuum robot suitable when small children are playing in the room?

Since we don't have children yet, I can't say anything about that. So far, nothing has happened to the cats. However, I only run it when we are not at home anyway, since it naturally makes some noise. But I can't imagine that anything would happen. On the one hand, it detects when it bumps into something. On the other hand, there are no dangerous parts underneath like with a lawn mower robot.

We have had the Vorwerk for 7 years. We think this thing is great. However, for me it is clear that it does not replace the "normal" vacuum cleaner. A lot also depends on the circumstances. The less is lying around, the better. When used with children, there are pros and cons. Using it simultaneously in one room is not possible at all. Mainly because of toys on the floor and depending on the age, it is constantly turned on or off, chased, or people try to ride it. You have to search the floor for small toy parts before it runs; otherwise, they are gone or, depending on the size, the robot gets blocked. A big advantage for us is that you can let the thing run briefly every evening without much extra effort while you are in the bathroom with the kids or so. The battlefield of dinner crumbs on the floor is quickly cleared up. And if you have little Tasmanian devils at home, they naturally kick up much more dust. Under the stairs, within one day, you already have the first wool mouse embryos. Conclusion: Especially with children, no longer without it, but it does not replace the normal vacuum cleaner.