Roomba

Roomba is a series of autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners made by the company iRobot. Introduced in September 2002, they have a set of sensors used to help them navigate the floor area of a home. These sensors can detect the presence of obstacles and steep drops (e.g., to avoid falling downstairs). Amazon announced its intent to purchase the parent company of Roomba in August 2022, though the acquisition has been delayed by regulators in Europe.

As of 2023, iRobot markets models of their fourth through tenth generation, although it continues to provide support and sell accessories for their previous series. Various models have different features, including tangle-free brushes, separate sweep canisters, more powerful vacuums, obstacle avoidance, and performance maps displayed via smartphone apps. Newer high-end models also have a camera, which works in conjunction with onboard mapping and navigation software to systematically cover all floor areas, move from room to room, avoid obstacles such as pet waste and charging cables, and find recharging stations.

Roombas allow some modulation and reprogramming. Parts of some models are interchangeable, allowing owners to mix and match features, or switch to other units for longer battery operation. Additionally, some units can be adapted to perform more creative tasks using an embedded computer in conjunction with the Roomba Open Interface.