Over half of UK robot vacuum owners give quirky ‘pet names’ to their devices

Over half of robot vacuum owners have affectionately bestowed their device with quirky ‘pet names’ such as Mr Cleaner or Tony Shark, according to a survey of 1,000 UK adults. Variations of the name Robert, including Bob, Rob and Robbie, also emerged as popular choices.

It appears that robot vacuums aren’t the only gadgets receiving this personalised treatment. The study revealed that 18% of participants had given their laptop a nickname, while 13% had done the same for their coffee machine. Interestingly, eight out of 10 individuals who named their ‘pet’ vacuum claimed it made the device ‘more enjoyable’ to use.

The research was commissioned to celebrate the launch of the Shark PowerDetect device and gathered insights from various countries including the UK, Germany, Spain, France, the UAE, Norway, Italy and Poland.

Dr Guy Laban, a research associate at the Department of Computer Science & Technology of the University of Cambridge, has conducted extensive research on human-robot relationships.

He said: “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.

He said it isn’t a surprise that people name their vacuums: “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.”

The survey disclosed that a whopping 77% of respondents feel that giving their device a name adds a touch of humour to mundane tasks. Furthermore, it appears that younger demographics, particularly those under 35, are more inclined to christen their tech gadgets compared to older generations.

Participants also expressed that naming their robot lends a personal touch to their technology.

James Kitto, the UK and Ireland’s managing director at Shark, commented: “Our latest robots are very quickly becoming part of our consumers’ families as well.

“We aim to bolster these connections and further integrate into consumers’ daily routines.

“It will be intriguing to track whether Robert, Bob, Robbie continue to top the popularity charts for names in 2026.”