Modern cleaning devices are no longer just chaotic running pucks that push furniture. Xiaomi’s map-building robot vacuum cleaner turns chaotic motion into a sophisticated algorithmic process. The laser rangefinder (LDS) on the top of the case scans the space, creating an accurate digital copy of your home.
Proper map calibration is not just a whim of perfectionists, but a necessity for the device to work efficiently. If the navigation system has errors, the device can miss entire rooms or get stuck in the same places. In this article, we will discuss all the subtleties of working with Mi Home and Xiaomi Home, so that your gadget is cleaned perfectly.
Many users make the mistake of starting cleaning immediately after the first switch on, the first 2-3 launches should be conducted exclusively in Scan mode without wet cleaning and without first installing virtual walls, which will allow algorithms to collect the most accurate data on the geometry of the premises, the height of the thresholds and the location of stationary objects.
The principle of operation of laser navigation and primary scanning
The basis of intelligent navigation is LDS-A sensor that rotates and emits laser beams. By measuring the time of return of the reflected signal, the device calculates the distance to objects. It is critical to correctly map the room that it is light during the first passage and all doors are open.
The process of initial scanning is different from the usual cleaning. The robot moves around the perimeter and then zigzags, trying to cover the maximum area, at which time you do not interfere with its work or rearrange furniture. If you go after the device, it can knock down the SLAM algorithm, which is responsible for simultaneous localization and mapping.
- 🏠 Make sure all interior doors are open for free access.
- 💡 Turn on the lights in all rooms, especially if you have a model with a camera or less sensitive. LDS.
- 🧹 Remove from the floor wires, socks and small objects that may get tangled in the brush.
- 🚫 Do not lift or carry the robot during the first pass.
⚠️ Warning: If the robot vacuum cleaner is stuck during the first map construction, don't just pull it out. Carefully release it from the obstacle and put it on the base to restart the task, otherwise a digitally-disruptive "gap" or artifact will appear.
It's important to understand that virtual walls and exclusion zones are early to build at this point, and that basic geometry must first be formed, and that only by making sure that the contours of the walls on the smartphone screen match reality can we move on to fine-tuning.
Application interface: editing and division of rooms
Once the initial scan is completed, a saved map will appear in the Xiaomi Home or Mi Home app. Often, the device combines the corridor and the living room into one huge room, or, conversely, divides one room into two parts due to the high carpet, and the map editing feature allows you to correct these shortcomings.
To divide the room, you need to select the Split tool, and you'll see a cut line that you can move around, and you'll draw that line through a doorway or a bottleneck where the robot thinks the boundary is, and after you confirm it with Save, the device will recalculate the area and name the new areas.
You need to connect rooms less often, but it's also useful. If the hallway and the kitchen are merged, use the Merge tool. You can single out two adjacent areas and the system will merge them into a single circuit, which will make it easier to set up cleaning scenarios for specific areas.
Remember, any changes to the map structure take processing time, at which point the robot vacuum cleaner may not respond to the start commands, wait until the data sync with the server is complete.
Configure the prohibition zones and virtual walls
One of the most useful features is the creation of No-Go Zones, which are square or rectangular areas where the device is not allowed to enter, and this is true for places where there are bowls of water for animals, wires or fragile objects.
Unlike physical magnetic tapes that you had to glue in older models, virtual walls are customized with your finger on your smartphone screen. You can create up to 60 of these zones on a single card. There's also a Virtual Wall feature available, which is linear and prevents a robot from crossing a certain boundary, such as entering a balcony.
| Type of restriction | Form | Limit on the map | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone of prohibition | Square/Rightangle | Up to 60. | Bowls, wires, mats. |
| Virtual wall | Line | Up to 60. | Room boundaries, entrances |
| Carpet zone | Square/Rightangle | Up to 5 pcs. | To enhance absorption |
When you create zones, it's important to be precise. If you set the zone too close to the board, the robot might think it's a navigational error and try to get around it in a strange way. 5-10 centimeters.
Keeping several maps and working with floors
Multi-map features will be useful for owners of multi-storey houses or apartments with non-standard layout. The flagship models of Xiaomi and Roborock (Xiaomi ecosystem) allow you to save up to 4-5 different maps. This means that you can carry the robot to the second floor, and it will not lose data about the first one.
To activate a new floor map, start a full scan in the new room. Once completed, the map management menu will have the option "Save as a new map." Remember to rename them, for example, "1 floor", "2 floor", "Kitchen-living room", so as not to get confused.
When switching between cards, the device may ask for confirmation of action, which is protection against accidental data loss, make sure that when you save the new card, the battery is charged at least 20%, otherwise the process may interrupt.
- 🔄 Move the robot to a new floor manually, not allowing him to go up the stairs.
- 💾 Save the map immediately after the first successful pass to the next level.
- 🏷️ Give maps clear names for quick choice in widgets.
If you plan to move your device between floors often, consider buying an additional docking station. Although the robot can work without it (starting with a button), having a base on each floor makes operation much more comfortable.
Typical errors in construction and their solution
Even the smartest algorithms sometimes fail, and a common problem is map displacement, which happens if the robot has been cleaning in the dark for a long time, or if you have moved the base of the vacuum cleaner, and then you'll see on your smartphone screen that the contours of the walls have gone away relative to the actual position of the furniture.
Another common mistake is that the robot is lost, and the device starts to spin around randomly, making audible signals. LDS-The sensor is contaminated or closed by a foreign object. Check the rotating puck at the top, it should spin freely.
To eliminate errors, follow the following steps:
- Wipe the sensors and wheels with dry cloth.
- Make sure there are no mirror or strongly reflective surfaces under the robot (black glass, floor mirrors).
- Try to start building the map again, pre-deleting the old one in the settings.
⚠️ Warning: Black glossy surfaces and floor mirrors are the blind spots for laser rangefinders, and the robot can think there's a hole or a cliff, and will try to get around those areas, creating distortions on the map.
If the map is curved, try cleaning during the day in good natural light. Some models use a camera to correct position, and in poor light, accuracy drops.
Update firmware and impact on navigation
Software is the brain of your device, and there are periodic firmware updates that improve obstacle-avoidance algorithms and map accuracy, and ignoring updates can make the robot less efficient than it could be.
You can check for updates in the app by going to the device settings (three dots in the corner). The path usually looks like: Settings → About device → Check for updates. If a new version is available, be sure to install it while the robot is on base.
Updating process:
1. Connect the robot to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
2. Charge the battery to 80%.
3. Click "Update" in the annex.
4. wait until the completion (10-20 minutes).During the upgrade, the robot vacuum cleaner can make sounds, flash indicators, and even move slightly. Don't touch it at this point. Interrupting the process can lead to a software failure that requires complex recovery.