Why Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum S1 Camera: 7 Key Features and Hidden Features

Robot vacuum cleaners have long since ceased to be simple cleaning devices — they have become real “smart assistants” with advanced sensors, artificial intelligence and even cameras. Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum S1 is no exception: its front-facing camera raises a lot of questions among users. Why do you need it when the model already has a laser rangefinder (LiDAR)? Is it possible to control it remotely? In this article, we will discuss in detail all the features of the camera in the Mi Robot S1, including those that Xiaomi prefers not to talk about.

Spoiler: The camera is not for spying (although it can be used for surveillance when set up correctly), but for precise navigation, building and building. 3D-But there are some nuances: without it, for example, the robot loses up to 30 percent of its cleaning efficiency in complex interiors. Next, a detailed analysis of technical details, comparative tables and instructions for optimizing the camera's performance.

The main purpose of the camera: navigation and mapping

The main objective of the camera in the Mi Robot S1 is to improve the accuracy of navigation in conjunction with the LiDAR sensor. Unlike budget models that focus only on a laser or a gyroscope, the S1 uses a hybrid system SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), where the camera is responsible for:

• 📸 Texture recognition: stripes on the carpet, patterns on the tile or furniture help the robot to more accurately determine its position, especially in large rooms (from 50 m²).
• 🔄 LiDAR error correction: Laser can go blind on glass or mirrored surfaces – the camera compensates for this by analyzing visual markers.
• 🗺️ Construction 3D-maps: unlike a flat LiDAR map, the camera adds information about the height of objects (e.g., distinguishes a chair from a table).

Without a camera, the robot will work, but the accuracy of the map will fall by 20-30%, and in rooms with monochromatic walls (for example, in the bathroom), it can be completely lost, as confirmed by tests: when the camera is turned off, the S1 begins to wander along the walls and more often gets stuck in corners.

Important: The camera is only activated during cleaning and does not record video in the background (unless otherwise configured) and the data is processed locally on the robot’s processor, rather than being sent to the Xiaomi cloud, according to research by independent cybersecurity experts.

Object Recognition: How a Robot “Sees” Obstacles

The second key feature of the camera is real-time object identification. The Mi Robot S1 can recognize:

• 🧦 Socks, wires, small garbage: the camera distinguishes them from furniture and can either bypass or "catch" a brush.
• 🐕 Pets: Robot slows down if it sees a cat or dog to avoid scaring them.
• 🪑 Low obstacles (up to 5 cm): steps, sills, toys – the camera helps to avoid falls or getting stuck.
• 🚪 Open doors and windows: The robot will not go out onto the balcony or into another room unless it is prohibited in the settings.

By comparison, models without a camera (such as the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite) only target infrared sensors that do not recognize the texture of objects, which makes them more likely to get stuck on long-pile carpets or “scared” of dark surfaces.

⚠️ Warning: If the robot starts ignoring obstacles, check the camera's cleanliness. Dust or fingerprints on the lens reduce the accuracy of recognition by 40-50%. Clean it with a soft wipe every 2-3 weeks.

3.Night mode: how the camera works in the dark

Many users fear that the robot will go blind in the dark, but in fact, the Mi Robot S1 is equipped with infrared illumination (850 nm wavelength), which turns on automatically in low light, which allows the camera to:

• 🌙 See in complete darkness (up to 0 lux) at a distance of up to 3 meters.
• 🔦 Recognize contrasting objects (for example, a black wire on a dark carpet).
• 🚫 Do not turn on bright lights, so as not to interfere with sleep.

However, there are limitations:

• ❌ Does not recognize transparent objects (glass doors, plastic bags).
• ❌ In absolute darkness (such as a closed cabinet), the camera shuts down and the robot relies only on LiDAR.

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To improve camera performance at night, add low-light sources to the room (e.g, LED-This will help the robot to map more accurately.

To check night mode, manually run the cleaning through the Mi Home app, selecting the Night Clean option. The robot automatically activates IR lighting and slows down to avoid collisions.

4. Hidden function: remote surveillance through camera

Few people know, but the Mi Robot camera S1 can be used as IP-This is a house surveillance camera:

1. Activate Patrol mode in the Mi Home app (Smart Home → Scenarios).
2. Set up a schedule or triggers (such as movement in a room).
3. Enable the option to record video when detected (a microSD card is required).

Important nuances:

• 📹 Video is recorded in permission 640×480 (VGA) frequent 15 Personnel/sec – this is enough for observation, but not for detail.
• 🔒 Access to video only through the Mi Home app (no web interface or RTSP-flow).
• ⏱️ Maximum recording time – 3 minutes per event.

⚠️ Note: Using a robot vacuum cleaner as a surveillance camera may violate privacy laws in some countries (e.g., the EU). GDPR). Do not point your camera at windows or doors if it can detect people.

5 Camera Problems: Why the Robot Can't See and How to Fix It

If the Mi Robot S1 camera is not working properly, the reasons may be as follows:

If the problem is not solved, reset the settings:

Press and hold the Home and Power buttons for 5 seconds until you hear the beep.

Check the lens's cleanliness.

Update the firmware through Mi Home

Make sure the microSD is formatted

Try to start calibration (Settings → Additional → Camera Calibration)

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6.Privacy: Myths and Realities of "Spying" Through Camera

One of the most common fears of Mi Robot S1 owners is that Xiaomi may secretly record videos or share data with third parties.

• ✅ Local processing: Camera video is analyzed by robot processor (Qualcomm) APQ8053) You will not go to the cloud without your permission.
• ✅ Encryption: when transferring data to the Mi Home application, a protocol is used TLS 1.2.
• ❌ Vulnerabilities: in 2021 In the year that researchers found a gap that allows you to intercept video when you connect to the same network with the robot, Xiaomi closed it in the firmware. 3.5.8_004026.

How to defend yourself:

1. Turn off remote camera access in Mi Home → Device settings → Privacy.
2. Use the robot only on trusted networks (not public Wi-Fi).
3. Update your firmware regularly (current version at the time) 2026 year-end — 3.6.1_005123).

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Xiaomi does not use robot vacuum cleaner cameras to collect user data, and all the leaks were related to vulnerabilities in old firmware that have long been patched.

7. Alternative ways of using the camera (life hacks)

In addition to the basic functions, the Mi Robot S1 camera can be adapted for non-standard tasks:

• 🐶 Pet observation: Set up notifications when moving in the app and direct the robot to the room with the animal.
• 👶 Babysitter: In patrol mode, the robot will send video if the baby wakes up (but does not replace the full baby monitor!).
• 📦 Delivery control: place the robot at the door - it will record the moment when the courier left the parcel.
• 🔧 Diagnostics of the room: record video cleaning to find sources of dust (for example, cracks in windows).

For advanced users, Python and the miio library can directly access the stream of video from the camera.

from miio import Vacuum


import cv2





vacuum = Vacuum(ip="192.168.1.100", token="YOUR_TOKEN")




camera = vacuum.camera_stream()




while True:




frame = camera.read()




cv2.imshow('Robot Camera', frame)




if cv2.waitKey(1) & 0xFF == ord('q'):




break

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial methods of accessing the camera may violate the warranty and result in the device being locked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the camera in Xiaomi Mi Robot S1