How to make a map for a robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Mi: the complete guide

Modern models of robot vacuum cleaners from Xiaomi are equipped with advanced navigation systems that allow the device to navigate in space without human intervention. However, immediately after buying the gadget does not know the layout of your home, so the first task of the owner is to create a digital twin of the apartment. This process does not require special technical knowledge, but involves compliance with a certain sequence of actions for the correct operation of algorithms. LDS-navigation.

A properly constructed map is the foundation for efficient cleaning, allowing the robot to stay out of the way, avoid obstacles and use battery power optimally. Unlike the chaotic motion that characterizes older models, modern devices build a precise route that can be edited. The first scan must be done with open doors to all rooms so that sensors can read the full geometry of the room.

In this article, we will explore all the nuances of the setup, from initial start to separation of rooms and installation of forbidden areas. You will learn how to avoid the typical errors that lead to distortion of the circuit, and how to make your smart technique work as autonomously as possible.

Preparation of the premises and launch

Before the robot begins to build a map, it is necessary to prepare physical space. Remove from the floor wires, toys, clothes and other small objects that can wind on the brush or knock down the readings of sensors. The base station (dock station) should be installed against the wall, providing free access from the sides of at least 0.5 meters and free space in the front at least 1.5 meters for maneuvering.

Make sure the battery level is 100%, because the initial scanning process can take a considerable time, especially in large apartments. If the charge is interrupted in the middle, the map will have to be rebuilt or put up with breaks in the circuit. The robot must start from the base, so that the coordinate system is attached to the point of return.

Run the device through the Mi Home app by selecting Quiet Cleaning mode or standard mode, but don't start floor washing if you have a combined model as this can slow down the process.It's important to keep the house quiet: avoid walking in front of the robot during the first pass, don't rearrange furniture, and don't open/close doors until the device returns to base.

⚠️ Warning: Do not pick up the robot vacuum cleaner during the first map construction. If the device is stuck, carefully release it and put it back to the same place from where you took it, otherwise the coordinates will get lost.

Once the cycle is complete, the device will automatically return to base, and a notification will appear in the application to save a new card. If the card does not appear, check the settings in the device menu - sometimes you need to manually click the Save Card button.

Setting up the map in the Mi Home app

Once the primary scan is complete, you need to log in to the map management interface. To do this, open the Mi Home app, select your vacuum cleaner, and go to the control section. Usually, the map edit button is in the upper right corner or is called by long-term pressing on the map thumbnail.

In editing mode, you'll see a diagram that the robot has drawn, which may not look perfect: rooms can be combined and corridors torn apart, and your task is to bring the digital diagram into line with the actual layout, using the separation and aggregation functionality.

Use the "Separate" tool to draw a line where a wall or doorway should be, the line should cross the entire section you want to separate, and if two different rooms merge into one because of a wide opening, the separation feature will help isolate them from each other for more accurate cleaning statistics.

• 🏠 Separation: Draw a line through a narrow passageway (door) to divide one large area into two separate rooms.
• 🔗 If the robot mistakenly splits the kitchen into two parts, use the fusion tool to highlight both zones.
• 🔄 If the card’s orientation is not the same as reality (for example, the entrance to the apartment looks the wrong way), use the card’s rotation function at 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

Remember to save changes after each operation. The application may be delayed, so after you make the changes, give the system a couple of seconds to process the data before moving to the next action.

Installation of virtual walls and forbidden zones

One of the most useful features of Xiaomi’s smart vacuum cleaners is the ability to create virtual restrictions, which prevents the device from entering certain areas where there may be wires, long-pile carpets (if you don’t want to wet them), or places where a pet sleeps.

There are two main types of constraints: virtual walls and no-go zones. A virtual wall works as an invisible barrier that a robot cannot move through either direction. A no-go zone (a square or rectangle) indicates a place where you can't go, but through which you can drive if it's on its way (although modern algorithms try to bend them).

To set the limit, go to map edit mode and select the appropriate tool. The frame can be moved and resized, stretching corners. It is recommended to make restricted areas with a small margin so that the bumper sensors accurately read the obstacle.

It's especially important to set up no-go zones for wet-cleaning models, so you can create a scenario where the robot doesn't go on carpets or restrict its access to areas with chemicals or toys that it can suck in.

⚠️ Warning: Virtual walls and zones are tied to the map coordinates, and if you decide to completely rebuild the map or move the base to another location, you'll have to reset all the restrictions settings.

Working with multi-storey maps and multiple levels

Owners of two-storey houses or apartments with a different floor often wonder how to save several cards. LDS-sensors can remember until 4-5 This allows you to use a single robot on different floors or in different locations.

To save the second-floor map, you need to take the robot and the base to the next level, start the device to clean up completely. Once the first cycle is completed on the new floor, the system will suggest saving the current map as new without removing the previous one. Give consent, and a floor switch will appear on the menu.

When switching between cards, customize the scripts for each saved card so that the robot cleans more often in the kitchen, and in the bedroom on the second floor – only on weekends.

If the robot is lost and moves randomly when trying to run it on a saved floor, the furniture may have changed, which may require updating the map or a complete remodeling to update the data.

Accurate configuration and calibration of navigation

Even after you build a map, you can have situations where the robot is acting strangely, spinning around, can't find a base, or skipping sections, often by simply calibrating or cleaning the sensors, and the laser rangefinder (LDS) on the top of the device has to rotate freely.

Wipe the Cliff sensors and bumper with soft dry cloth. Dust on the sensors can cause false positives and errors in the route construction. Also check the wheels: if they are contaminated, the robot can tow, which knocks down the odometer and distorts the map.

In some cases, it helps to reset the map and build it back with the doors closed into certain rooms so that the robot focuses on specific areas, which is useful if the apartment has many narrow passages or mirrors that knock down the laser.

Keep an eye out for firmware updates. Xiaomi engineers are constantly improving navigation algorithms, and the new version of the software can significantly improve the quality of mapping and the logic of avoiding obstacles.

⚠️ Warning: Mirrors and glass surfaces can trick the laser rangefinder, and if there's a lot of glass in the room, the robot may think it hit the wall early, or ignore the real obstacle.

Schedule and scripts based on the map

Once the map is ready and divided into rooms, you can fine-tune the schedule, so you can only schedule the cleaning of specific rooms at certain times, for example, the kitchen and corridor can be cleaned daily, and the living room can be cleaned every other day.

Do Not Disturb (DND) is also linked to map and time, during which time the robot will not emit audible signals and can reduce suction power, which is especially important for night cleaning or sleeping time for children.

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Use Voice Control: If you have a smart speaker with Alice or Google Assistant, set up scenarios so that the start of cleaning specific rooms occurs by voice command.

To activate room cleaning, go to zone selection mode on the map, mark the desired rooms and press the start button. You can save the frequently used room combinations to Favorites for quick access from the widget.

Check the app's cleaning history regularly, which shows the trajectory and area of the cleaned space, and if you see the robot systematically ignoring the angle, it may need manual intervention or an additional restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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A well-constructed and customized map is a guarantee that the robot will clean efficiently, without missing areas and getting stuck in inappropriate places.