Setup & Mapping
How to Set Up Robot Vacuum Mapping
An accurate map underpins room selection, no-go zones and schedules. Here is how mapping generally works and what helps the first run produce a usable map.
Quick answer
Place the dock permanently, open interior doors, clear the floor, and let the robot finish its first run without moving it. Then fix any merged or split rooms in the app rather than starting over.
How robots build a map
Robots build a floor plan from sensor data as they drive: LiDAR lasers, cameras, or a mix, sometimes with bump and cliff sensors. Our LiDAR vs camera guide explains the trade-offs. Manufacturers describe their own mapping; we do not rate map accuracy.
Before the first mapping run
- Fix the dock in its final position.
- Open interior doors and remove loose cords and small objects.
- Turn lights on if the manual says a camera-based robot needs light.
- Avoid running the run while people are moving furniture.
During the run
Do not pick up or move the robot. Lifting it mid-run can leave it unsure of its position and split or skew the map. Wait for the run to finish and for the app to say the map is saved.
Fix problems in the app
Typical issues are two rooms merged into one, a room split in two, or a phantom wall at a threshold or dark rug. Most apps let you merge, split and rename rooms after the fact; see room naming and editing. Once the map and rooms look right, you can set up a cleaning schedule for the mapped rooms.
When to re-map
Re-map after large furniture moves, a relocated dock, or a renovation. Some manuals say a re-map overwrites saved zones, so note them first. If the map disappears or looks wrong, see map lost or wrong; if the robot loops or gets lost repeatedly, see stuck in a loop.
Multiple floors
Robots that store several maps need a separate map for each level; see multi-floor mapping.
Frequently asked questions
Does the map upload to the cloud?
Many apps store maps in the manufacturer's cloud. See our guide on cloud maps and data privacy and check your app's settings.
Can I keep old zones after re-mapping?
It depends on the model and app. Check the manual before re-mapping.
How many runs until the map is good?
There is no fixed number. Some robots refine the map over several runs.