iRobot Roomba Floorvac (robotic vacuum cleaner)

Roomba is a robotic vacuum cleaner made and sold by iRobot. It is marketed as a Robotic Floorvac. The Roomba was first released in 2002 with updates and new models released in 2003, 2004, and 2005. As of May 2005, over 1.2 million units have been sold, making it the most successful domestic robot so far.

Models

• First Generation
  • Roomba (2002, improved in 2003)
• Second Generation
  • Roomba Pro (2003)
  • Roomba Pro Elite (2003)
• Third Generation
  • Roomba Red (2004, improved in 2005)
  • Roomba Sage (2004, improved in 2005)
  • Roomba Discovery (2004, improved in 2005)
  • Roomba Discovery SE (2004, improved in 2005)
  • Roomba Pink Ribbon Edition (2005)
  • Roomba 2.1 (2005)
  • Roomba Scheduler (2005)

Twenty percent of the sale price of the Roomba Pink Ribbon Edition was donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, with a $45,000 minimum guarantee.

The "Roomba 2.1" was a special model sold only by HSN. All third generation Roombas currently being manufactured are 2.1 versions. The 2.1 version contains a number of hardware and software improvements. Details on the 2.1 version are available at iRobot FAQ - What is Roomba 2.1?.

Accessories

• Remote Control: Control the Roomba remotely (for all second and third generation Roombas).
• Scheduler: Program your Roomba to clean around your schedule, even when you’re out. This accessory will also update a pre-2.1 Roomba to the 2.1 software (for all third generation Roombas).
• Homebase: The Roomba automatically returns to this for recharging (for all third generation Roombas).
• Virtual Wall: Used for keeping the Roomba out of certain areas (for all Roombas).
• OSMO: A dongle that attaches to the serial port on the Roomba. This updates a pre-2.1 Roombas firmware to version 2.1 and can also correct the "circle dance" problem (for all third generation Roombas).

Description

The unit is a disc, thirteen inches (34 cm) in diameter and less than four inches (9 cm) high. A large contact-sensing bumper is mounted on the front half of the unit, with an infrared sensor at its top front center. A carrying handle is fitted on the top of the unit. Depending on the model, it comes with one or two "Virtual Wall" infrared transmitter units.

First and second generation models needed to be told the size of the room via three room size buttons (Small, Medium, and Large), but this is no longer required with third generation models.

The Roomba operates with internal nickel metal hydride batteries and requires being recharged regularly from a wall plug, although newer third generation models have a self-charging homebase they automatically try to find (via its infrared beacon). Charging on the homebase takes about three hours. All third generation Roombas can be used with the homebase, even if they do not come packaged with it. First and second generation models came packaged with a twelve hour charger, although a three hour rapid charger could also be used with them.

Using a third generation Roomba consists of carrying it to wherever the owner would like it to start, pressing the "power" button, then pressing the "clean", "spot", or "max" (if applicable) button. A third generation Roomba may also be used with the Scheduler accessory. It allows the Roomba to begin cleaning automatically at the time of day that the owner desires. This can be useful for people who want the Roomba to clean while they are at work.

When the "clean", "spot", or "max" button is pressed, the Roomba sings a few tones, then begins its work. The contact bumper detects bumping into walls and furniture, and the Virtual Walls limit the Roomba to the areas that the owner desires. Four infrared sensors on the bottom of the unit prevent it from falling off ledges. Third generation models have additional dirt sensors that allows them to detect particularly dirty spots and focus on that area accordingly.

Unlike the Electrolux Trilobite vacuuming robots, Roombas do not map out the rooms they are cleaning. Instead, they rely on a few simple algorithms such as spiral cleaning, wall-following and random walk angle-changing after bumping into an object or wall. This design is based on MIT researcher and iRobot CTO Rodney Brooks' philosophy that robots should be like insects, equipped with simple control mechanisms tuned to their environments. The result is that although Roombas are effective at cleaning rooms, they take several times as long to do the job as a person would, usually covering some areas many times and others only once or occasionally not at all.

After a certain amount of time (in "clean" mode third generation models automatically calculate the time based on the amount of dirt detected and the longest straight-line run they can perform without bumping into an object, while first and second generation models must be told the room size), the Roomba stops and sings a few triumphant notes. If a homebase is detected, a third generation Roomba will try to return to it. The owner then removes the dustbin from the unit's rear and empties it into a trash can. With the exception of the first generation Roomba, an infrared remote control can also be used to control the unit, which is useful for a disabled person. The remote cannot be used near the homebase or Virtual Wall units due to infrared interference from these devices.

The Roomba is not designed for deep pile carpet. It is low enough to go under a bed or other furniture. If at any time the unit senses that it has become stuck (on rug tassels, for example), it no longer senses the floor beneath it (it has been picked up), or it decides that it's worked its way into a narrow area from which it's unable to escape, it stops and sings a mournful tone to help its owner find it.

The word "Roombable" (meaning Roomba friendly) has been coined for furniture that a Roomba can clean under.

See also

Scooba

3rd Party Accessories

Beginning in 2006 iRobot introduced the Roomba Serial Control Interface which allows 3rd parties to develop accessories for Roomba.

Below are some 3rd party products developed for Roomba:

• RooTooth (by RoboDynamics) - Bluetooth-enables the Roomba
• RooStick (by RoboDynamics) - interface a PC with Roomba using USB port
• Roo232 (by RoboDynamics) - interface a PC with Roomba using Serial port
• RooTilt (by SparkFun) - a bluetooth joystick using an accelorameter to control Roomba.
• MindContro (by Element Direct) - takes command of Roomba by programming an Atmel microcontroller

Many Roomba owners treat their Roomba as a pet or part of their famaily. An industry for customizing the look of a Roomba has begun to emerge. Below are add-on products for customizing, clothing, or skinning your Roomba:

• RoomBud (by myRoombud) - The RoomBud costume turns your Roomba into a pet. Costumes include a tiger, frog, ladybug, cow, pig, bunny rabbit, leopard or a french maid.

• iRobot Skins (by iRobot) - Personalize you Roomba with plastic stickers. Various images are available including many college and sports team logos.

External links

• iRobot, manufacturer and US retailer of Roombas.
• European Roomba models
• Roomba User Community
• Roomba hacking wiki
• Pre-SCI serial interface info