Robot Add-Ons Fix All Of Your Roomba’s Issues, Almost
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Thursday, 3 of December , 2009 at 4:11 am
As much as I love my Roomba, I’m under no illusions as to the scope of its autonomous capabilities . In order for Roomba to clean unsupervised, I have to do a lot of prep work at home, moving furniture and carpets and cords and stuff. A company called Robot Add-Ons, founded by a couple of guys from iRobot itself, has come up with a bunch of cheap and easy ways to completely solve some of Roomba’s more common issues.
It’s common, for example, for Roombas (or at least my Roomba) to wedge itself under things like furniture… By the time Roomba’s front bumper hits the bottom whatever it’s gotten itself underneath, it’s already too late for it to turn around. The Robot Add-Ons solution is to give your Roomba a unicorn horn: a stick-on bit of rubber up at the front bumper that causes Roomba to register sloping obstacles much earlier, giving it time to get out on its own:
Simple and effective. Other add-ons include passive barriers that work by fooling Roomba’s edge sensors, HEPA vacuum filters, and even an entire new and improved cleaning head designed specifically to handle hair. There are some demo videos, but, um, just a warning… I watched these videos and (at first) thought that they were doing a deliberate parody of an infomercial. Now I’m not so sure about the deliberate parody part. You’ll see what I mean, after the jump.
Ultra-soft bumper:
Keep off strips and mats:
Hard floor cleaning pads:
I don’t know, it sells itself… But they can’t do this all day. Makes a great gift! Seriously though, these are some great little accessories, and your Roomba surely deserves some reward for all the vacuuming you make it do, right?
[ Robot Add-Ons ] VIA [ Robots.net ]
Comments (10)
Category: Consumer
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Comment by john
Made Thursday, 4 of February , 2010 at 6:42 pm
That is cute how do you keep the baby from chasing it around? I did not know you had add ons for the vac. It was a cute read.
Comment by Lindsay
Made Monday, 8 of February , 2010 at 9:19 am
What happens if it does get stuck under a chair does it burn up or wear a hole in the carpet?
Comment by Lisa
Made Tuesday, 16 of February , 2010 at 8:59 am
The soft fuzzy strip is low tech but is cheap and looks like it works well good film.
Comment by Mange Mites
Made Monday, 17 of May , 2010 at 3:01 pm
The roomba vac is cool and the low tech great idea of the cushion strip is cool we are considering getting one to replace my daughter vacuuming the house at least it would get done.
Comment by Mange Dogs
Made Wednesday, 19 of May , 2010 at 8:47 am
Yes it would not be able to get under the chairs or risk getting stuck one possible add on you could do it put a plastic feeler on the vac and let it turn it around to keep it from getting stuck. Might be a new product for you.
Comment by Laura Newfarm
Made Monday, 7 of June , 2010 at 6:16 pm
Wow, this is crazy! I’ve never even seen the roomba before. Are they available in Australia, or able to be shipped from the US?
Comment by Dheen - floor cleaners
Made Tuesday, 8 of June , 2010 at 8:51 am
Hi, thanks’ for your great article. I really enjoy to read. Give me so much inspiration. Today i want to share my happiness. I have just install hardwood at my home bussiness office. Very nice and make its appearance so luxury. As i know that hardwood is not easy to maintain, but still i really love it.
Regards
Comment by Slave to Hypnosis
Made Saturday, 21 of August , 2010 at 6:14 am
The baby should be riding the vacuum? That would be a good video. I do like the accessories seems like it would come with motor protection from hair?
Comment by Fibromyalgia Treatment
Made Sunday, 22 of August , 2010 at 5:40 am
It looks like a very effective little toy. I have seen big robots that use several of these as motive power so can move and clean at the same time.
Comment by Dog Vacuum
Made Wednesday, 29 of December , 2010 at 12:41 pm
I never knew they had Add-Ons. I have one of the vacuum robots for pet hair and I love it. I will have to buy some of these. I especially like the improved cleaning head.
