Narwal adds AI to its vacuum cleaners to monitor pets and find jewelry

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Narwal, a renowned robot vacuum manufacturer, introduced an innovative lineup of smart vacuum cleaners equipped with cutting-edge AI capabilities. These advanced features include the ability to monitor pets, locate valuable items, and alert users about misplaced toys. The highlight of Narwal's presentation was the Flow 2 robot vacuum, which boasts a sleek rounded design paired with easy-lift tanks for improved cleaning efficiency. This device employs dual 1080p RGB cameras that provide a 136-degree field of view, allowing it to meticulously map its surroundings and recognize various objects using sophisticated AI models. Narwal claims that the Flow 2 can identify an unlimited number of objects, initially attempting recognition locally before sending data to the cloud for further analysis if needed. The Flow 2 offers three distinct modes: pet care mode, baby care mode, and AI floor tag mode. In pet care mode, users can designate specific zones where pets typically rest for targeted cleaning. Additionally, the vacuum can monitor pets and facilitate two-way audio communication, though there’s no assurance that pets will heed their owners' voices. In baby care mode, the vacuum operates quietly near cribs and alerts users about any misplaced toys. Meanwhile, the AI floor tag mode enables the vacuum to detect valuable items such as jewelry, avoiding them while sending notifications to users. Furthermore, the Flow 2 features four cleaning modes designed to tackle various types of dirt. Its advanced design allows it to return to its base for mop washing, ensuring it can re-mop areas that require additional cleaning. The company highlighted that the Flow 2 supports higher hot water temperatures for enhanced cleaning performance. In addition to the Flow 2, Narwal showcased the U50 handheld vacuum, weighing 1.41 kg (3.1 lbs), which includes UV-C sterilization and heat treatment to effectively remove allergens. Additionally, a sleek unnamed cordless vacuum was presented, featuring a 360-degree swivel and up to 50 minutes of runtime, along with an auto-empty station capable of handling dust disposal for up to 60 days.