A Perth tradesman who was critically injured when a robot vacuum cleaner reportedly exploded has received a significant update on his recovery. The case has drawn attention to the potential fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in household devices, although such incidents are understood to be uncommon.

The man, Lachie, suffered serious burns and was said to have nearly died following the explosion. New details indicate that robot-vacuum battery explosions are rare, but the incident has prompted renewed concern about battery safety, charging practices and the risks posed when batteries fail.