Yes, it will still clean, but it may bump into objects, get stuck on clutter, and require more supervision. You’ll likely need to clear your floors before each cleaning session for best results.If you’ve ever pictured your robot vacuum gliding gracefully around the house while you put your feet up, you’ve probably also wondered: what happens when it meets a stray shoe or a tangled phone charger on the floor?

That’s exactly what obstacle avoidance is all about — and knowing whether your robot can handle clutter before you buy could save you a lot of frustration (and a few chewed-up cables).Don’t let the technical-sounding name put you off. Obstacle avoidance is actually a really straightforward idea once you break it down, and by the end of this post you’ll know exactly what to look for — and whether you actually need to pay extra for it.

Report 007970. Filed.