The app also includes access to two programmed performance modes for those who want to leave the robot in the pool, including a calendar-based mode with three frequency levels—90 x 2 minutes, 60 x 3 minutes, or 45 x 4 minutes. Another mode is a little more relaxed: A mode called AI Navium. sound like it uses an AI camera to check the pool regularly over the course of a week and only do routine cleanings when needed—but in reality, this mode just does a quick analysis of your past performance and then uses AI to create a schedule for the next few days, based on how you’ve used the robot in the past.
Hunger for Gunk
Video: Chris Null
The Scuba V3 made very quick work of the dirt in my pool during testing, rarely needing more than a couple of hours to collect all the visible detritus on the pool floor while also scrubbing the walls and waterway. The AI camera system seems to work as advertised, even finding small pebbles I threw in the pool and dutifully directing itself to collect them. With organic debris, the pool appeared to be completely clean after each run (lasting between 170 and 190 minutes each time), and with synthetic debris, the Scuba V3 achieved a cleanliness rating of 96 percent, with only a few test leaves remaining in the hard corners. That’s a good performance especially considering that three hours is not a lot of time to work. And remember that there is no way to adjust when running outside the planned routes; on-demand mode always runs the battery until it’s almost dead. Fortunately, Aiper seems to be making the most of this time, officially specifying a maximum floor area of 1,600 square feet.
Unfortunately I didn’t have much success with the AI schedule mode. After running the scanner, the program suggested a five-day grueling schedule consisting of two floor blasts, two floor-plus-waterline techniques, and a final floor run. Then it ignored the schedule and immediately ran the floor for three hours, which completely drained the battery. I tried again the next day, and the robot missed its schedule, then ran randomly late at night. I wasn’t a big fan of scheduling my exits into the pool before I tried the Scuba V3, and this demo didn’t improve that opinion.
Video: Chris Null
When it’s done running, the Scuba climbs up to the waterline and sends a notification to the app, letting you know it’s ready to be collected and cleaned. Note that you only have 10 minutes to reach it: Scuba can’t float, so he has to use the last part of his juice to drive to tread water and hold himself in place. After the 10 minutes are up, the used scuba sinks to the pool floor and must be returned to the pool with a hook. My best advice is to set a 175 minute timer every time you launch a run to remind you to look at the completion notification.
Cleaning can be somewhat involved. The filter basket design has a large lid that makes it easy to access the internal filter, and putting both filters down is the same. The removable mesh in the inner basket is another story, though. Although it is very good at catching dirt and other fine debris, it is very difficult to clean, and if you do not remove it from the basket, a lot of dirt gets trapped between the mesh and the basket itself. Removing and replacing the mesh is difficult, especially if it’s wet, so I just leave it in place and clean it better after each run, accepting that it won’t be perfect. I expect many users will do the same.
