How likely it is for a robot vacuum to explode?

[iHorseHead]

Hello,
yesterday I read the news that someone's robot vacuum cleaner exploded at 3am while he was sleeping and not using it. I tried Googling and finding articles about similar cases, but didn't find much and didn't find the reasons why they might explode.
How likely it is to happen and why would it happen? I know it's a stupid question and I know that anything can explode or catch on fire. Once my nieces toy exploded (luckily she wasn't playing with it or anyone near it) and my father's phone once exploded. It was some Nokia phone and it was pretty old and it was on a shelf, unused for years while it suddenly exploded.
So yeah, it's a stupid question, I know, but how likely it is to happen and why would such a thing happen? I've been considering getting one of these but after yesterday's article I'm kind of scared and it was behind the paywall and I wasn't going to pay 2€ to read it.

 

[sunapple]

Without having the first clue about this specific case, I’d say the common factor in all the examples you mention is the battery. And yes, it’s very rare that they would cause such problems but it happens. Best thing to do is buy quality brands.

By the way, you just reminded me about my Dyson V8 which I bought used but with a new battery… It might not be original now that I think about it 🤐

 

[polyphenol]

I know that anything can explode

Can I have a ring-side seat for the bucket of water or sand exploding spontaneously?

But it is a serious issue. I think battery manufacturers really do need to investigate what they can do to reduce further the possibility of explosion. I can imagine that when there is an array of cells, something that completely disconnects them all would help prevent runaway. As a silly example, make the connectors out of gallium?

 

[Absrnd]

Don't buy one from Aliexpress, and never use a replacement battery from Aliexpress

 

[iHorseHead]

Don't buy one from Aliexpress, and never use a replacement battery from Aliexpress

Never.
But is Xiaomi an ok brand?

 

[polyphenol]

Never.
But is Xiaomi an ok brand?

I have had a few things from Xiaomi and they have all been good. Ranging from nail clippers (!) to wristbands and a screwdriver. Truly diverse range of products.