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

Robot vacuum cleaner maker Narwal unveiled its new range of smart vacuum cleaners at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with AI-powered features such as monitoring pets, finding valuables and notifying users of lost toys.

The company said its new flagship Flow 2 robot vacuum has a rounded design and easy-lift tanks for better cleaning. The device uses two 1080p RGB cameras with a 136-degree field of view to map the area and recognize different types of objects using AI models.

Narwhal said that through this technology stack, the vacuum has the ability to identify an unlimited number of objects. The device first tries to identify an object locally, but in case there are no matches, it sends the data to the cloud for further processing.

Flow 2 has three key modes called Pet Care Mode, Baby Care Mode and AI Floor Tag Mode. With the pet care mode, you can define areas where pets usually rest or go out to clean themselves. It can also monitor pets and also check on your pets via two-way audio (no guarantee they’ll listen to you, though). In baby care mode, the vacuum cleaner switches to silent mode near the crib and notifies you of lost toys. In AI floor tag mode, the vacuum recognizes valuables such as jewellery, avoids them and warns you.

Narwal said his latest vacuum has four cleaning modes that can identify different types of dirt. The device can also return to its base to wash the mop and then mop a specific area again if it is dirty. The company noted that the Flow 2 design allows for a higher hot water wash temperature for better cleaning.

Along with the Flow 2, the company also showed off a handheld vacuum called the U50, which weighs 1.41 kg (3.1 lb) and has UV-C sterilization along with heat treatment to remove the allergen. The company also showcased an unnamed cordless vacuum cleaner with a slim design, 360-degree rotation and up to 50 minutes of run time. The cordless vacuum also has an automatic emptying station that can maintain up to 60 days of dust disposal.