The RoboSnail from AquaGenesis, a nifty automated aquarium glass cleaner we saw poking around the internet a while back, is getting closer to retail ready and will be heading into production soon for public release later this year. The company is finalizing the machining and tooling process and is hoping to have the RoboSnail start shipping towards the end of the year. The RoboSnail goes about its business cleaning off the algae growing on your aquarium glass once a day then returns to its docking station to recharge for the following day.
Similar to your typical magnetic aquarium glass cleaner, the brains of the RoboSnail attached to the outer glass with the cleaning pad adhering to the inner glass. Once it’s done cleaning, the the Robo Snail will return to a small charging dock that sits in the corner of the aquarium to get ready for the next cleaning cycle. The RoboSnail cleans the glass once every 24 hours and it takes the device about 8-9 minutes to clean a 9 ft. long, 3 ft. tall and 1/2 thick section of glass in around 8-9 minutes.
The RoboSnail is a set it and forget it type of device. You initially set it up to determine how far above the substrate you want the RoboSnail to clean, when you want it to do its business and it’s all set and ready to go. The company anticipates at least a solid 3-5 year lifespan of the RoboSnail through initial testing and is targeted for large aquariums 100 gallons or higher. The first RoboSnail will be made for glass aquariums with acrylic versions in the works. Expect the RoboSnail to appear late fall or early winter this year and should retail for around $200 or so. The video below shows the RoboSnail in action.
[youtube width=”640″ height=”510″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsURdaqqaFg[/youtube]
