Beatbot’s new AI-powered robotic pool cleaner skims the surface

Beatbot is intent on bringing artificial intelligence to automated pool maintenance. It’s all-new iSkim Ultra robotic pool cleaner is a solar-powered skimmer designed to scoop up the debris floating on a swimming pool’s surface with zero input from you.

The robotic skimmer is the less-expensive cousin to the Beatbot Aqua Sense Pro ($2,199), a more advanced bot designed to clean a swimming pool’s floor, walls, waterline, and surface, while at the same time dispensing a chitosan-based cleaning agent. The iSkim Ultra can dispense the same cleaning agent while it’s sweeping the water.

Beatbot touts its operating system as the iSkim Ultra’s prime feature. The OS controls the skimmer’s S-shaped cleaning pattern based on feedback from the unit’s 20 sensors, including three ultrasonic sensors: two at the water’s surface, and one below its water line. The bot also has a six-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit), an electronic device that measures and reports acceleration, orientation, angular rates, and other gravitational forces.

This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best robotic pool cleaners.

Beatbot says those design attributes enable the iSkim Ultra to navigate a pool of any shape (rectangular, round, kidney, or freeform) and fabricated from a variety of materials (concrete, ceramic tile, vinyl, and/or fiberglass). And potential buyers with privacy concerns will be pleased to know the robotic skimmer doesn’t rely on cameras for its navigation prowess.

Beatbot

With adequate sunlight, users will never need to plug the iSkim Ultra into an electrical outlet to recharge its 7.2V/10,000 mAh lithium-ion battery. In fact, Beatbot says the skimmer can go more than 24 hours with zero sunlight and still perform its cleaning routine. If you do need to connect it to the grid, the iSkim Ultra’s will fully charge in five hours via the included magnetic charger. Owners won’t even need to monitor the weather, because the skimmer can decide for itself when it needs to be connected to that charger.

A 265mm (10.4 inches) brush in front and smaller brushes on each side of the skimmer sweeps debris into a large (9-liter) basket. Beatbot says the dual side brushes create a water flow that gathers debris toward the center of the machine, where the larger front brush can pull it in. The manufacturer estimates its debris basket can accommodate 400- to 800 medium-sized leaves. A one-touch release mechanism enables the basket and its filter to be removed quickly for easy rinsing; the brushes are also removable for thorough cleaning.

Beatbot

The iSkim Ultra features the same proprietary ClearWater clarification system that Beatbot launched with the Aqua Sense Pro. Made from recycled crab shells, the eco-friendly clarifying agent removes dirt, oils, and metal residues, preventing scum buildup. Each 300ml kit lasts about a month with weekly use, enabling the robot to clean up to 99,000 gallons of water.

The iSkim Ultra is outfitted with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, falling back to the latter if your router can’t reach outdoors. Beatbot’s app (for Android and iOS) provides real-time updates on the skimmer’s status, current operations, and any issues the unit might encounter during its cleaning runs. The skimmer also has voice announcements that report its status, from power-up to task completion as well as low-battery alerts.

If you’re looking for some poolside entertainment, you can use the Beatbot app to drive the iSkim Ultra yourself. During a poolside launch event, company representatives demonstrated ferrying a cold drink across the water. If you have a very small, light, and tolerant dog or cat, you could even train it to surf on top of it. The Beatbot iSkim Ultra is available for preorder now at a discounted price of $999, a $500 discount from its $1,499 MSRP for a limited time. The bot is covered by a two-year warranty.