ROBERT UNVEILED AS THE MOST POPULAR NAME FOR UK ROBOT VACUUMS, SHARK’S NEW NAMING SURVEY REVEALS
- First ever Shark Robot Naming Survey is unveiled, announcing the most popular names are variations of Robert, including Bob, Rob, Robbie
- Over half of robot vacuums owners in the UK have given their cleaning companions a name; 83% said naming their robot vacuum made it more enjoyable to use
- Millennials and Gen Z are most likely to name their robot vacuums, saying it makes their robot vacuum feel more personal to them
- Shark unveils new Robot Naming Survey to understand consumer relationships with technology as connections continue to evolve
Robot vacuums are no longer just appliances; they’re considered part of the family. Shark’s ground-breaking new Robot Naming Survey¹ surprisingly reveals that the nation is developing emotional connections with their robot vacuums, with more than half giving their cleaning companion a name. Ready to see your robot vacuum in a new ?
In the debut survey from Shark, the UK’s Best-Selling Vacuum Cleaner Brand² & Steam Cleaner Brand³, it was revealed that variations of “Robert” (Bob, Rob, Robbie) are reigning champions, coming out as the most popular robot vacuum nicknames in the UK. Alongside Robert, names ranged from the practical “Mr Cleaner” to the famous “Tony Shark”. This phenomenon of consumers naming their robot vacuums, like they would a pet, highlights a growing trend of affection and emotional connection towards our home technology. As technology seamlessly intertwines into our daily lives, it turns out we’re not just using it – we’re connecting with it.
Proving that positive human connection with technology is flourishing, a whopping 63% of respondents said that they think robot vacuums have their own personalities, and a staggering three quarters (75%) feel sentimental towards the tech they’ve named, further cementing that we’re creating strong attachments to the technologies in our homes. What’s more, 83% of UK robot vacuum owners said giving their robot a name made it more enjoyable to use and 77% said giving a name added a sense of humour to everyday tasks. Not only is household tech a practical support, but it’s providing an emotional benefit too.
Unsurprisingly, the trend of naming robot vacuums has been most popular with tech-savvy Millennials and Gen Z, with two thirds of Gen Z having named their robot vacuum. The survey also revealed that the majority of Millennials (81%) and Gen Z (77%) say that naming their robot vacuum makes them feel more personal to them. As user-friendly tech products, such as robot vacuums, are becoming ever-present in our homes, the survey released from Shark suggests that the nation is embracing them with open arms and are finding ways to integrate them into everyday life.
Commenting on the growing emotional connection humans are forming with robots, Dr Guy Laban, a Research Associate at the Department of Computer Science & Technology of the University of Cambridge, said: “I find it fascinating that this study by Shark highlights how the nation is embracing technology in their homes. In my research, I explore how interactions between humans and robots can take on emotional significance and form affective meanings. We have found that, beyond making our lives easier, robots can also enhance our moods; people feel more comforted and less lonely in the presence of social robots. It doesn’t surprise me that people are naming their robot vacuums, as this reinforces and personifies the emotional connection that forms when robots, like robot vacuums, operate in social spaces or respond to social signals. I believe this trend will become increasingly common, and we might see more people embracing robotic companions in their homes in the coming years.”
James Kitto, Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Shark added: “Our Robot Naming Survey has shown the emotional connection we have for technology, and this is why Shark is so determined to ensure we’re innovating technologies that meet and exceed consumer’s needs. Our latest robots are part of our Shark PowerDetect family and they are very quickly becoming part of our consumers families as well. We want to help strengthen these connections and integrate further into consumers everyday lives. It will be interesting to follow along and see if Robert, Bob, Robbie remain the most popular names in 2026.”.
Robot vacuums aren’t the only home appliances that people are giving names to. 18% have named their laptop and 13% have even named their coffee machine.
The Shark Robot Naming Survey aims to understand the ever-evolving consumer relationship with technology. The Shark Clean robotic vacuum range, featuring the Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch 2-in-1 Self-Empty range, and the full PowerDetect product family is available at sharkclean.co.uk and select retailers.
¹SharkNinja commissioned Onepoll to conduct an online survey among 8,000 respondents who own a robot vacuum from across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Poland and the UAE. Research was conducted between 21st Jan – 4th Feb 2025.
² UK market data, all vacuum cleaner sales by volume Jan’ 24 – Dec ’24.
³ UK market data, units by volume Jan ’24 to Dec ’24’
