Modern cleaning is no longer a routine task, but a managed process. The Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner 1S is a device that combines a powerful engine, laser navigation and affordable price. However, to make it work as efficiently as possible and not get stuck in the wrong places, it needs to be properly set up first. Proper calibration of sensors and building a room map is the foundation on which all further operation of a smart assistant is built.
The first start-up process can be challenging for beginners because of the abundance of features in the Mi Home app. The program interface is packed with settings that require careful study. In this article, we’ll take a look at every step from physically connecting a charging station to fine-tuning virtual walls and schedules, and learning how to operate the device remotely and make it work exactly as your home needs it to.
Initial preparation and installation of the charging base
Before turning on the device, you need to choose the right place for the docking station. The robot must have free access to the base from both sides and the front. The optimal distance from the wall to the base is at least 50 cm, and on the sides should be free at least 30 cm. If you ignore these requirements, the base search algorithm may not work correctly, and the vacuum cleaner will be lost at the end of the cleaning.
It's important to consider that the base emits an IR signal that helps the robot navigate, so you can't put the charger in front of mirrors or glass surfaces that can reflect the signal and disrupt navigation, and you should avoid places with direct sunlight falling on the base signal receiver.
Once you've selected a location, plug the power supply into the outlet and set the base tightly against the wall. Make sure the contacts on the bottom of the base and on the robot itself are clean and dry. Place the device on the floor next to the base and press the power button on the top panel.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use an extension cord to connect the base if possible.Unstable voltage or poor contact can lead to a charging interruption and an error in the application.
The first charge of the device should last at least 4-6 hours, even if the indicator shows full charge earlier, this is necessary to calibrate the lithium-ion battery and form the correct memory cells of the container, at which time you can install the software on the smartphone.
Registration in the Mi Home application and pairing
The Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home) is required to manage the robot. Download it from the official app store for your operating system. When registering an account, it is important to choose the right region. For devices purchased officially in Russia and the CIS, the Russia region is usually suitable, but for some versions of the firmware, you may need to choose the China region. The right choice of region is critical for the speed of the device response and the stability of the servers.
After logging in, click the add-on button. The app will automatically start looking for gadgets nearby. If the robot vacuum cleaner is on and in pairing mode (wi-fi orange light flashes), the system will prompt you to add it. If the automatic search fails, select the device manually from the directory by searching Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner 1S in the list.
During the connection process, you will need to enter a password for your Wi-Fi network. Note that the robot only supports 2.4 GHz. If your router broadcasts a 5 GHz network under the same name, you may have difficulties, in which case you temporarily split the networks or create a 2.4 GHz guest network to connect the equipment.
First scan and construction of a room map
Once connected successfully, the app will suggest you do the first cleaning to build the map, which is the most important step in setting up, before you start, remove wires, socks, toys and other small objects that can wind up on the brush, and it is also advisable to wipe the floor beforehand so that the robot does not smear dirt while building the map.
Run Scan or just Clean through the app. The robot will start to move around the perimeter randomly, then methodically explore the available space. The laser rangefinder (LDS) on the top panel will rotate, fixing the distances to the walls and furniture, during which time do not move the base and do not interfere with the movement of the device.
In the scanning process, you'll see in real time how your home plan is drawn on your smartphone screen. If the robot gets stuck, the app will report it, but it's best not to intervene unless absolutely necessary, so as not to knock the gyroscope calibration. Once the cycle is complete, the map will be stored in the device's memory.
Setting up zones, forbidden territories and schedules
When the map is ready, the magic of the setup begins, the app allows you to divide the map into rooms even if there are no physical doors between them, you can manually draw virtual walls where there are low obstacles that the laser can not see, or where the robot should not go (for example, to a bowl of water or carpets with a long pile).
Zoned cleaning allows you to select a specific square on the map and send a robot there, which is ideal for situations where you need to quickly remove the cereals in the kitchen without starting a full cycle of cleaning the entire apartment, setting schedules allows you to automate the process, for example, running a vacuum cleaner every morning at 10:00 when everyone left the house.
- 🚫 Virtual Walls: Draw red lines that the robot will not cross under any circumstances.
- 🧹 Zoning: combine or divide rooms for easy management.
- ⏰ Timers: Set up to 4 different weekly cleaning schedules.
To fine-tune the suction power in different rooms, you can use the "Save Map" function, which allows you to assign a quiet mode to the bedroom and maximum power to the kitchen, all of which are stored in the cloud and tied to a specific floor plan.
☑️ Setting up the map
Technical characteristics and comparison of operating modes
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner 1S is powered by a Japanese-made Nidec engine that delivers high efficiency with low noise. Understanding technical modes will help you tap into the device's potential by 100%. The table below compares the main modes.
| Parameter | Quiet regime | Standard regimen | Turbo regime. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suction power | 600 Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa | 1200 Pa | 2000 Pa Pa |
| Noise level | ~58 dB | ~65 dB | ~72 dB |
| Time to work. | 140 minutes. | Up to 110 minutes. | 90 minutes. |
| Best application | Night, dust | Daily cleaning | Carpets, wool. |
The mode choice has a direct impact on battery life, and if you have a large apartment and lots of carpets, Turbo mode will require more frequent recharging, but the automatic recharging algorithm is designed so that when the battery level is low, the robot will return to base, charge up to 80% and continue cleaning from the stop.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use wet cleaning (if installed with a water tank) on carpets. 1S wet cleaning is not provided, installation of the tank from other models can lead to breakdown of electronics.
Filters maintenance and sensor care
For long and uninterrupted operation, it is necessary to regularly maintain the device. HEPA-The filter installed in the dust container requires replacement of each filter. 2-3 You can wash it with water, but only if it is specified by the manufacturer of a specific batch of filters, and you must dry at least 24 pre-installing.
Special attention should be paid to sensors. On the bottom panel are elevation sensors and wheel sensors, which must be wiped with dry soft cloth once a week, and if the pollution sensor is covered with dust, the robot may think that it is stuck, or fall down stairs.
The main brush also requires cleaning, often with hair and threads on its ends, putting extra strain on the engine, using a custom knife or nail scissors to clean garbage, and regular cleaning extends the life of the brush bearings.
Integration with voice assistants and ecosystem
Xiaomi is actively developing the smart home ecosystem, and the 1S robot vacuum cleaner fits in perfectly. You can link your Mi Home account to Yandex.Alice, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, which allows you to control your voice cleaning, which is especially convenient when your hands are busy.
To activate voice control, go to the profile settings in the Mi Home app, select Other Platforms, and follow the instructions for authorization in the voice assistant service. After the bundle, you can say commands like "Alice, turn on the kitchen vacuum cleaner" or "Ok Google, send the robot to base."
It also supports scripting, for example, if you set up an automatic cleaning operation when your smartwatch detects you're out of the house, or if the door opener detects that everyone's gone, it creates a really smart space.