Irobot Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner...

[WAD62]

The missues has just acquired an excellent new toy, an Irobot Roomba 560 robotic vacuum cleaner (2nd hand from a friend).

For anyone not aware, in short it's a domestic cleaning product based on a bomb disposal robot.

Apparently one can configure the behaviour of the device via a serial port interface, does anyone have any experience of this? Any software/hardware out on the market to assist in this task.

I'm primarily interested in turning off it's fear of 'dark things', which stops it from falling off stairs...but also makes it afraid of black rugs!!!

Obviously a bit of tape over the sensor is a stop gap, but it would be nice to get into the programming side of the device.

If like me as of 3 weeks ago you haven't seen one of these things in action, try to, they're an absolute hoot...how practical is another matter, but it seems to clean reasonably well, particularly pet hairs, and if it keeps the missus happy who am I to argue.

Anyway it's a damned site more fun than a dyson, that's for sure :)

Damn it...now I realise what I should have called this thread...

'Fear of a black carpet' :lolsign:

[aquapiranha]

Think of the possibilities...

http://www.daleklinks.co.uk/media/62125/new-davros.jpg

[WAD62]

Think of the possibilities...

http://www.daleklinks.co.uk/media/62125/new-davros.jpg

How did you manage to graft my photo on top of a Dalek...photoshop? :lol:

I was thinking of using it as a cat chariot too...:eyebrows:

[The Grand Wazoo]

I was thinking of using it as a cat chariot too..

Like this?

ewdbilSWjaM

[WAD62]

Like this?

ewdbilSWjaM

Fantastic...what a top cat! :lolsign:

Mine's not sure whether to attack it, or run from it at the moment...he follows it around just to keep an eye on what it's up to, but keeps a healthy 2 yard distance all the while :)

[Bellossom]

I love robot vacuum cleaner. A regular vacuum would require anyone to vacuum their residence. Except for MyGenie, you do not need someone to operate or supervise the vacuuming process. This is why we recommend scheduled vacuuming when you are out working or preoccupied with other daily tasks. The crazysales (http://www.crazysales.com.au/online-7-in-1-robot-vacuum-cleaner-72581.html) 7 in 1 robot vacuum cleaner I bought is qualified for the job. It is built to slide underneath that has a opening height of at least 12cm. Most intelligent robot vacuums have sleek designs that may suit any home interior and you will reveal for your friends or relatives while they view your home.

[RichB]

I heard a horror story about one of these and someone who had an incontinent dog. Anyway the tech wasn't smart enough to detect shit and the roomba apparently did a pretty good job of spreading the stuff all over the house whilst he was out at work.

Pretty funny story and whilst I fancy one myself, I'm a lazy sod, pet owners might want stick to the old fashioned ways until they give it an electronic nose/shit detector.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/15/roomba-robot-vacuum-poopocalypse-facebook-post

[struth]

Sounds very messy that.. ive got a italian one that aldi sold at one time. Its quite good considering its pricepoint. It was a handmedown from the boy. He has one similar to the one Hugh points to. Its very good indeed. A close encounter of the shitty kind one can only shudder at