Neato Robotics

The XV-11 was the first Neato product, released to market in February 2010. This product's design and functionality serves as the basis for all subsequent Neato models. In 2011, a more-expensive enhanced version was developed under contract for German appliance maker Vorwerk Kobold and distributed only in Germany as the Vorwerk VR-100, with some limited expansion later into other European markets. This model physically resembled Neato vacuums and shared many parts, but had an additional spinning side brush extending beyond the case edge, a more powerful suction fan, a bristle front brush and a pleated filter. The Vorwerk unit was also powered by a lithium-ion battery compared to the nickel–metal hydride battery (NiMh) battery used in Neato models. Differences in details of the charging process for these different types of batteries, as well as the additional side brush motor, requires different firmware programs for each model's computer. Updates to these programs are delivered separately by each company in case of revisions.

In March 2012, Neato Robotics announced the Neato XV-21, a refinement of the earlier models, which is white but has a purple laser head and dust bin cover. This model incorporated some features previously available on the Vorwerk Kobold, including the combination bristle brush/silicone flap beater and pleated filter. Owners of previous models were offered the chance to upgrade to the new beater and filter hardware for a cost of around US$60, and are also recommended to install the most recent system firmware.

In March 2013, Neato Robotics announced new models Signature XV and Signature Pro, which are black and offer 50% increased extraction.[8]

In March 2014, Neato Robotics released an expanded model named BotVac, which was developed over several years. This model incorporated the rotating a side brush previously available only on the Vorwerk Kobold models in Germany. BotVacs were initially priced about 20 percent higher than the older XV models. The BotVac's internal construction was rearranged as compared to older models, with a larger filter area and dust bin, and the battery compartment was reduced from two to one. The main front brush was made longer and closer to the wall, with a new more closely fitting bump sensor construction. The casing was modernized with more snap-fit fastenings and fewer screws. Internal electronics were upgraded and refined, and new commercial embedded systems operating system used. The brush drive belt was covered by a cowling with a new mounting method. The newer NiMh battery 10-cell 12v battery featured greater Ampere-Hours capacity than the older 12-cell battery. The newer Botvac Connected series replaced the NiMh battery with a lithium ion and added Wi-Fi connectivity and a phone app.

Neato Robotics has 15 models on the market: the original XV-11 (green), the European and Malaysian XV-15 (blue), the XV-12 (white), the XV-18(black, aka. XV Signature) and the XV-21 (purple) with European equivalent XV-25, the Botvac 65 (Costco exclusive), Botvac 70e, 75, 80, 85, D75, D80, D85, as well as Botvac Connected, D3 Connected and D5 Connected which have a different lithium ion battery, Wi-Fi connectivity and a phone app. Despite the different model names and colors, the 11, 12, and 15 model robots are identical, except that the plug at the end of the power cord varies depending on the locale. The first five Botvac models (Botvac 65, 70e, 75, 80 and 85) are also virtually identical with the only difference being the accessories supplied with the robot. The Botvac D75, D80 and D85 are identical except for accessories and colors. The Connected original, D3 and D5 are electrically identical but software, accessories and robot bodies are different.