Any Roomba/Scooba Owners Here?

[Johan]

I got my Roomba (EU Model which is the green Sage I believe) a few months back and love it. Meant to hack it up with BlueTooth and web services and all that but haven't had the time yet.

Just wondering whether any other CGF members have one and whether you used the SCI to hack your own programs in there?

I have yet to decide whether to code it in Linux, Windows or on my Mac as well so maybe some can share their experiences?

[Al]

I've got a Roomba Discovery called Dexter. Like you I have more plans than available time. One thing I want to do is have an overhead camera so I can film his cleaning route and try to figure out what AI process decides he has to clean under my TV all of the time.

Sam (gf) thinks I'm crackers calling him Dexter but he's like one of the family and also does the most cleaning.

[krnk123]

my parents got a roomba and they love it, but i think it's just a annoying robot that leaves track marks on the carpet

[MarcE]

Yep, got one a while ago and love it. Didn't know you could code for it though, I'll have to look at that.

The only problem is - you have to keep the floor clear! Which you'd think wouldn't be too much of a problem, until you realise what "clear" means in the context of a robot sweeping vacuum cleaner!

I usually end up piling everything onto the table before I let it run :p

[Mike]

I wish, they're so cool! :D
It be fun to follow it around a try to get it to hit you while it's cleaning.

Hah, Dexter. :p

[Scott]

I think I will get one, they look good, so are they pretty effective then?

[Johan]

Compared to only vacuuming once every 3 months, they are mighty effective indeed. And fun as well. You'd still need your old hoover for funny things like the sofa, behind stuff and in tight corners. But for 97% of the floor space, my Roomba now comfortably takes care of everything.

[rocky2083]

I'm going to get one of these soon:D lol this is so cool!

[Al]

They also act as a deterrent, just tell the kids don't leave your toys on the floor or Dexter will eat them. So far he has consumed 1 lot of homework, though I'm not sure if the teacher believed that :)

[Johan]

LOL. Ther requirement for an empty-ish floor is a benefit; it forces you to keep the place tidy, then the Roomba will take care of keeping the place clean. It's a team effort between humanoid and robot.

[rocky2083]

Al you actually told teacher your dog... akhm robot ate your homework? lool

[Liam]

I really wish I had one, they look so cool. Even though they work automatically I would watch mine the entire time. Kind of purpose-defeating but I just get mesmerized easily haha.

[Al]

I think Dexter has suicidal tendencies. He has sensors to prevent him from falling down stairs, when they work it's really funny as at looks like he's peeking over the edge and then backs away. I think poor old Dexter's sensors are a bit mucky as I came home from work the other day and he was dangling over the stairway precipice beeping inconsolably.

[rocky2083]

lmao... but seriously can you program it to follow a route or does it clean autonomically? Because I would use it to clean the garage too as it is accessible through house.

[Johan]

It goes off and does its thing automatically. You can program stuff in there but that wouldn't be so much a route, more like 'forward, back, left, forward' as oppose to 'do kitchen, do garage'. It's no location aware but it does do a rough computation of the floor space of the current room it's in and then determines when it has been there long enough.

[Scott]

Sounds good, there seems to be a few variants/models, is it just window dressing or are there already versions to avoid/seek?

[Johan]

Since the European importer went bust it's a pain to get a proper one here. They use different models than in the States but I think they're based on the simple Sage one I have too. I think Al got his from America.

Anyway, they all do the same but some have some peripherals bundled like the base station, extra virtual wall units, battery packs, rapid chargers etc. The more expensive versions have scheduling built in so you can pre-program its timing. On irobot.com you should be able to find a comprehensive list of features.

[Scott]

Seen one on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130015211901)

[Al]

I got mine on eBay, and it was shipped from the States. The really annoying thing with mine was somebody was a bit too excited to read the instructions and plugged a US plug into a 240volt outlet (via an adapter). A room full of smoke, 4 days and 40 quid later it was working.

[rocky2083]

Always Read The Manual Damn It!

[methodshop]

i've had my roomba for about a year and 1/2 now. i usually run it every 2 or 3 days. it works great in my 2 bedroom hardwood floor condo. so well that we gave away our vacuum. my only issue is with the roomba battery. the original battery only lasted about 6 months. at first i thought my roomba was broken. it would run for only about 20 seconds and then stop and make a series of weird beeps. i played the beeps over the phone for iRobot tech support and they told me the battery was dead, not the roomba.

[Al]

That's cool, Roomba phones home. I can just imagine you kneeling down holding the phone to it :).

[Giorgi]

anybody care to Xplain what is it?

[Johan]

It's a vacuum robot that drives around doing the hoovering for you.

[Case]

after the renvation im going to look into getting one for my self.

[Gail]

Love them, love them, love them. Did I mention I love them? I knew my floor needed sweeping but was astounded by how much the Roomba picked up. I have one room with low shag carpet and the rest of the house is hardwood floors. The Roomba works amazing well for all areas. I ran the Scooba on the kitchen floor tonight and it did a fine job. I am very pleased.