Hobot 198

Published April 5, 2019 Updated: February 10, 2026 no comments 14,026 views

Today we'd like to introduce you to the Hobot 198 window cleaning robot and explore its main pros and cons. This window cleaning robot is a logical continuation of the manufacturer's Hobot 168 line of cleaning robots. 188 From the "100th" series. The device is designed for cleaning windows, including those with coatings, films, and mirrored surfaces, in residential and office buildings with a cleaning area of up to thirty square meters. The cleaner's design incorporates a special sensor capable of detecting glass edges, adjusting the direction of movement, and overcoming obstacles up to fifteen millimeters high. Importantly, the robot is also equipped with a safety cord that can hold it in place if the latch breaks. The main differences between the Hobot 198 and the previous 188 are its reduced noise level and the ability to control it via smartphone. Otherwise, the key features and functions remain unchanged.

Equipment

The Hobot 198 window cleaning robot is packaged in a cardboard box. The outside of the box features a brief overview of the features and a photo of the model. A plastic handle is located at the top of the packaging for transporting and moving the robot.

The window cleaning robot comes complete with:

The washer itself with cleaning elements and a battery.
Power adapter.
Battery charging extension cable – 4 m.
Safety cord (rope) – 4.5 m.
Set of microfiber cloths (14 pcs.).
Seals (fixing rings for napkins) (4 pcs.).
Remote control.
Operating instructions.
Guarantee.

Hobot Equipment

Unfortunately, batteries for the remote control are not included with the Hobot 198; they must be purchased separately.

Appearance

The Hobot 198 window cleaner features an oval-shaped body with a small protrusion in the center. It is made of impact-resistant black plastic with a glossy and matte finish. The wiper blade has special recesses on the protrusion for easy grip when installing and removing it from the work surface. These recesses also allow air to escape from the window cleaning robot during operation, which is then extracted by a vacuum pump with an electric motor.

The power button is located on the top of the device. The Hobot 198's lid also features an information display with indicators displaying the current operating mode and battery status. The device's body features a separate loop for attaching a safety cable.

Top view

The robot's design uses two rotating yellow discs to clean surfaces.

Bottom view

Technical specifications

Below we offer an overview of the technical characteristics of the Hobot 198 window cleaning robot:

Country of origin	Taiwan
Engine type	Vacuum
Nutrition	Battery/mains powered
Battery	Li-Po 14.8 V
Opening hours	20 min.
Charging time	60 min.
Power consumption	90 W
Minimum window (surface) size	35x35 cm
Cleaning speed	3.6 min./sq.m.
Dimensions (L x W x H)	295x148x120 mm
Weight	0.94 kg
Noise level	65.5 dB

Among the technical characteristics, it is worth noting the presence of a built-in battery, which prevents the Hobot 198 window cleaner from falling in the absence of electrical power, a high-strength safety cord (150 kgf), an anti-fall control algorithm, as well as automatic detection of obstacles and frames of the surfaces being cleaned.

It's important to note that the device operates off the power grid, despite having a built-in battery. You won't be able to start the wiper without a power source, as the battery is only for emergencies, such as a power outage. In this case, the cleaner won't fall off the window and will continue to operate for about 20 minutes. How long does it take to charge the robot? About one hour.

Functional capabilities

Further in the review, we will look at how the Hobot 198 washer works and how to operate it.

The principle of a window cleaner is quite simple: it cleans the glass using two microfiber cloths that rotate as they clean. The cleaning process itself is described as follows: the window cleaner rotates the cleaning cloths in one place, then moves one half up, down, or sideways, and then rotates the cloths again. This way, the entire glass surface is cleaned. It also sucks up dust and removes dirt particles from the surface. A positive aspect is that the cleaning cloths are replaceable and even washable, which is very convenient.

Window cleaning

Thanks to its powerful vacuum pump, the window cleaning robot can be positioned on virtually any vertical surface. Since the Hobot 198 has no drive wheels, it moves freely across the surface being cleaned without leaving wheel marks, even when the cleaning cloth is dirty.

The windshield wiper can be controlled using either a remote control or a smartphone running iOS or Android, via Bluetooth 4.0. Simply download the free app and set up a connection between the robotic cleaner and your mobile device.

Control from your phone

Operating instructions

The user manual contains an overview of the characteristics, components, and operating features of the windshield washer and its components, a description of the device, and recommendations for use and maintenance, as well as a number of key questions that most often arise when using the windshield washer.

You can download the operating instructions in Russian by following the link: instructions for Hobot 198.