- Changes
- 2
- Tracking since
- Sep 2021
- Latest
- Sep 10, 2023
- Net movement
- Classification stable
- 2023
-
HOBOT 388 app firmware addresses 5 GHz Wi-Fi dropout in owner reports
HOBOT released an app and firmware update for the 388 that addressed the 5 GHz Wi-Fi disconnect pattern described consistently in owner forums.
Full assessment4 claims · 3 technical notes · 2 sources
Where it standsAutonomy LadderIIIIIIIVVLevel IIAssisted AutonomyHuman ReadinessReady NowNew to MarketWaitKnown IssuesRobovations Score04055708570StrongWhat happenedThe disconnect caused the companion app to lose remote control mid-session while the unit continued on its last-commanded path. Owner reports following the update note reduced frequency of mid-session drops on dual-band routers. The 2.4 GHz pairing requirement remains in manufacturer documentation; verify behavior on your specific router configuration before assuming the issue is fully resolved.
Bottom lineThe update addresses a documented friction point without changing the underlying 2.4 GHz pairing requirement; owners on 5 GHz-only networks should confirm router band compatibility before purchase.
ImpactOn autonomy
- Unit continues last-commanded path on app disconnect; this behavior is unchanged.
- Reduced app dropout frequency improves remote path-mode control reliability.
- Edge detection and systematic coverage path are not affected by the app connectivity layer.
On readiness
- Reduced mid-session disconnect frequency lowers one of the documented friction points in owner-reported setup experience.
- Manufacturer 2.4 GHz pairing requirement retained; users on 5 GHz-only networks still need router configuration.
- No change to pad maintenance, safety rope requirements, or suction-ring care burden.
Claim check4 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.
Companion app provides seamless remote control during cleaning sessions
Documented findingPre-update owner reports document session drops on 5 GHz networks; post-update reports note improvement, but 2.4 GHz pairing remains the manufacturer-specified configurationApp update resolves Wi-Fi connectivity issues
Documented findingOwner reports describe reduced frequency of disconnects after the update; the 2.4 GHz-only pairing requirement is still documented in manufacturer guidanceUnit operates independently of app during a session
Documented findingConfirmed: unit continues last-commanded path on disconnect per manufacturer documentation and owner reports; this is a confirmed capability, not marketingFirmware updates delivered automatically via app
Documented findingApp-delivered update mechanism is standard for the 388; no manual firmware flash required per manufacturer documentationEvidence2 sources · 0 linked
21Sep 2023Oct 2023filed 10 Sep 2023
- 1Amazon Customer Reviews — HOBOT-3885 Oct 2023named, not linked
- 2HOBOT Technology Inc. App Store Update Notes8 Sep 2023named, not linked
Technical notes3 sections
Connectivity Issue Background
Owner reports across retail review aggregates and consumer forums documented a pattern of companion app session loss during active cleaning cycles on dual-band and 5 GHz routers. The reported behavior was that the app would disconnect mid-session while the unit continued in last-commanded path mode. Remote stop and path-mode changes were unavailable until the app reconnected.
Update Scope
HOBOT’s app update, distributed via the iOS and Android companion app stores, included connectivity stability improvements targeting dual-band router behavior. The manufacturer’s product documentation retained the 2.4 GHz pairing recommendation following the update. No hardware revision or model-number change was associated with the firmware change.
Post-Update Owner Reports
Owner reports from retail review aggregates following the update describe reduced mid-session disconnect frequency. Residual reports of connectivity loss on specific router configurations indicate the fix is a reliability improvement rather than a complete resolution. The unit’s behavior on disconnect (continue last-commanded path, recoverable via app reconnect) is unchanged per owner descriptions and manufacturer documentation.
- 2021
-
HOBOT-388 window cleaning robot released in the US with ultrasonic spray
Home Robot LLC documented the HOBOT-388 window cleaning robot's US release, introducing a single ultrasonic misting nozzle and two AI-guided microfiber wheels to HOBOT's vacuum-suction lineup.
Full assessment4 claims · 4 technical notes · 2 sources
Where it standsAutonomy LadderIIIIIIIVVLevel IIAssisted AutonomyHuman ReadinessReady NowNew to MarketWaitKnown IssuesRobovations Score04055708570StrongWhat happenedThe release established a manually anchored, 150 kgf-rated safety rope as the model's fall-arrest design rather than an automatic tether. Later owner reviews flagged uncleaned window corners as a recurring limitation worth monitoring.
Bottom lineThe ultrasonic spray and route-planning claims are documented in manufacturer and distributor material; independent reviews confirm the suction-based adhesion and manual safety-rope requirement while noting corner coverage and spray volume as recurring limitations.
ImpactOn autonomy
- Route planning relies on two motorized cleaning wheels; no LiDAR or camera mapping documented
- AI-based path guidance was the model's baseline navigation method at the US release
On readiness
- Home Robot LLC began official US distribution of the HOBOT-388 in 2021
- Setup requires manually anchoring the 150 kgf-rated safety rope before each cleaning session
Claim check4 maker claims checked against the record. Open one to read the finding.
Patented ultrasonic spray nozzle leaves glass fully polished and streak-free
Documented findingIndependent reviews describe generally clean results but note the nozzle does not apply enough water to fully dissolve dirt, with some reviewers wiping windows by hand afterwardAI-based smart route planning cleans the entire pane
Documented findingReviews document the robot consistently leaves narrow strips of the top and bottom corners uncleanedAnti-falling technology protects the robot if suction is lost
Documented findingDocumented as suction-loss detection paired with a separate 4.5 m, 150 kgf-rated safety rope that the user manually anchors above the window before each session, not an automatic tetherTwo AI-designed cleaning wheels mimic hand-wiping motion
Documented findingManufacturer specifications describe microfiber-covered wheels rotating up to 70 rpm; no independent test of cleaning-pattern coverage was foundEvidence2 sources · all linked
21Mar 2021Sep 2021filed 7 Sep 2021- 1HOBOT USA7 Sep 2021
- 2Yahoo Finance (GlobeNewswire wire)30 Mar 2021
Technical notes4 sections
Release
Home Robot LLC, the official US distributor for HOBOT Technology Inc., documented the release of the HOBOT-388 window cleaning robot, adding it to a lineup that already included the HOBOT-298 and other suction-based models.
Cleaning System
The HOBOT-388 adheres to glass by vacuum suction from a centrifugal pump, with total power draw documented at about 80 W. A single ultrasonic nozzle nebulizes water into a fine mist ahead of two specially designed cleaning wheels, covered in microfiber cloth and rotating up to 70 rpm, in a pattern intended to resemble hand-wiping.
Safety Systems
Documented safety features include pressure-change detection at the pane’s edge and an embedded backup battery that holds the unit in place with an audible alert for about 20 minutes during a power outage. A separate 4.5 m safety rope, rated to 150 kgf, must be manually anchored above the window before each cleaning session; it is not an automatic tether.
Additional Capability
Manufacturer material describes a dry-clean mode for textured surfaces such as tile, and a 16-foot power cord intended to extend the robot’s reach on tall windows.