Rummage through a Roomba: Sensor-packed vacuum robot attracts hacks
By Robert Cravotta, Technical Editor -- 3/15/2007
The Roomba from iRobot is an autonomous vacuuming robot for use in consumers' homes. The unit is a circular robot that measures less than 14 in. in diameter and less than 3 in. in height. The Roomba can clean hardwood floors and carpets, get dirt from under furniture, avoid stairs, and return to its docking station to recharge its battery. To date, iRobot has sold more than 2 million of the robots worldwide.
The Roomba relies on iRobot's Aware Robot Intelligence System, which manages the robot's sensors and can adjust the control systems as many as 67 times per second.
The Flash presentation below highlights some of the engineering behind the Roomba's abilities.
