Shark unveils PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 robotic vacuum & mop

Shark has unveiled the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 robotic vacuum and mop (model RV3020XE). Readers can buy the robotic vacuum from the Shark store on Amazon for $1,299.99 or the Shark website.

The PowerDetect UV Reveal can automatically map homes using Neuronav AI technology and an array of sensors, including a camera, lasers, and RGB sensors. A UV light helps the robotic vacuum detect how well it has cleaned hard floors, especially tough messes such as cat urine, but Shark does not say whether it can detect and avoid mopping feces. It utilizes Hypersonic Mopping technology with more scrubbing power than prior Shark models when mopping. 

The dock utilizes a Thermacharged Hygiene Suite of technologies to sanitize the mop head when the robot is docked to kill 99.99% of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), according to Shark.

The mop can extend to clean along walls, but when vacuuming, the robot uses blasts of air to blow debris from edges before sucking them up. The wheels can lift the body up a small distance to clear thresholds, but the vacuum cannot climb stairs, unlike some other robotic vacuums such as the Roborock.

The PowerDetect UV Reveal vacuum can be controlled by voice when connected by Wi-Fi to a smart home that uses Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The smartphone app can be used to setup cleaning schedules, manually define off-limit areas, and change settings.

The robotic vacuum is not 100% maintenance-free. The grey water tank is designed to be emptied and cleaned every 30 days or when full, depending on the frequency of mopping cycles. Additionally, the fresh water tank needs to be refilled, the dust bin needs to be emptied, pre- and post-motor filters need to be cleaned, and the odor cartridge needs to be replaced on schedule to maintain the performance of the vacuum.