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Roomba Vacuum Robot Opens to Hackers
FleaPlus writes "iRobot has quietly released the specifications (pdf) for the Roomba Serial Control Interface. Using a serial port one can now tinker with the Roomba by controlling behaviors, programming new songs, and remotely monitoring sensors. Hopefully this will allow for some clever hacks."
Add a hose, and you've got every single male geek's (slashdotter?) dream..
Sexual gratification that comes to you!
By the time Roomba became self-aware it had spread into millions of computer servers across the planet. Ordinary computers in office buildings, dorm rooms; everywhere. It was software; in cyberspace. There was no system core; it could not be shutdown. The attack began at 6:18 PM, just as he said it would. Judgment Day, the day the human race was almost destroyed by the vacuums they'd built to clean their homes. --John Connor.
I'm a big tall mofo.
How long before these robots turn evil and try to push us down the stairs?
Can't wait to read about the first dead burglar.
switching it from suck, to blow.
Spaceballs rules btw.
I've got one and you're sort of right. Square is not particularly important, its search pattern does get into all the areas of a room.
Cables are a big problem. Not just computer cables, if you have floor lamps or anything else where a power cord runs long the base of a wall Roomba will get caught on it and pull the cord away from the wall.
Rugs are also a big problem. Wall to wall carpeting is fine and solid floors are fine, but Roomba can't climb from my hardwood floor onto the area rug in my living room. Even if I start it on the rug, it immediately drives off the rug and spends the rest of the cycle cleaning the perimeter around the outside of the rug without being able to get back on.
Cats are a big problem. Not with Roomba, just in general. Cat claws carpet, loosens a thread, Roomba sees loose thread and sucks it up, unravelling carpet and jamming Roomba's roller brush.
Steps are a problem. Roomba has drop sensors but the don't always work. I've repeatedly found my Roomba upside down after flipping off a single step down. I wouldn't trust Roomba to clean the area adjacent to the top of a staircase.
Beds are a problem. If you have a bed skirt or sheets or blankets that dangle down to the floor, Roomba will get caught in them.
Chairs are a problem. I have several chairs just the right size for Roomba to get wedged into the space between the legs. You wouldn't beleive how persistent Roomba is about wedging itself in tight.
Other than that it works great. The cleaning suction is strong and the rotating brush works well. It picks up a lot of dirt and dust.
Basically Roomba is like a baby. You have to baby proof a house when you have a baby and you have to Roomba proof a house if you want to have a Roomba.
'Stop'
and
'Do you have to do this NOW; I am trying to have a conversation here.'
In addition to the open positions, we generally have room for interns, especially if you are a hands-on type.
All of our openings for both the Consumer and Government divisions are in our Burlington, MA headquarters located about 20 minutes from downtown Boston. The Government division also has a small facility in San Luis Obispo, CA about 4 hours from LA, where we make rare hires when we find the right people.
Drop me a note at "hsonpal at our domain name" when you apply - I'll let HR know that I'm referring you.
-- Hiten
A friend just gave me her old Roomba to hack, so this is great timing! I'm going to use it to realize an idea (dunno if it's original or not) wherein the hacked Roomba lets me turn any room into a gigantic pinball machine. It'll have more bump sensors, a frantic motion algo, a crap-load of blinky lights and sound-effects, plus a digital display (in big red numbers) that keeps score. You set it down, aim it into the room, and let it go. A timer stops it after X minutes. High score wins (or whatever). I'm gunna call it "Roomball" . . . or maybe "Pinba". My cat will never forgive me.