Live data from Hacker News

Roombas at the end of the world

spectrum.ieee.org

11–20 of 42 posts

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#11
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Makes you wonder about the conversion factor between Roomba years and human years.

My Roombas seem to last about 5 years (then they get transformed into experimental robot platforms). But since it's getting harder to find ones that don't connect to the network, I think I may just start actually repairing the one that's currently used as a vacuum when it breaks, so I can continue to have a good robotic vacuum.

Bobsweep still sells some that don't connect to a network. They also have an online store with spare parts.

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#12

Mine are named Trouble (S9+) and Mayhem (m6). They're dressed in vinyl wraps to be less boring.

Mine that works well is named "Houseboy"

The one that behaves really poorly has been through a series of names from "Ceiling" (because I thought it'd be funny to see a notification telling me that Ceiling is stuck and ended its job), to Hessalam ("Last Chance" from wheel of time) and is currently named "Chaos Monkey". I hate that damn thing.

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#13
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Makes you wonder about the conversion factor between Roomba years and human years.

My Roombas seem to last about 5 years (then they get transformed into experimental robot platforms). But since it's getting harder to find ones that don't connect to the network, I think I may just start actually repairing the one that's currently used as a vacuum when it breaks, so I can continue to have a good robotic vacuum.

Verring off topic...

Can I run a Roomba whilst preventing it calling home?

Is there a setting for that or would I have to configure firewall rules?

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#14

Mine are named Trouble (S9+) and Mayhem (m6). They're dressed in vinyl wraps to be less boring.

Mine is named... whatever my 4yo daughter insists on calling it this month.

I was completely surprised to see the robot vacuum get more affection from my kids than all their toys, and even our cat.

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#15

Mine are named Trouble (S9+) and Mayhem (m6). They're dressed in vinyl wraps to be less boring.

I call mine Cletus, because it ain't the smartest tool in the shed. At least once every run I have to kick it out from under it's nemesis...my living room chair. Where it has been bumping into the legs for 20m.

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#16
post #13
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My Roombas seem to last about 5 years (then they get transformed into experimental robot platforms). But since it's getting harder to find ones that don't connect to the network, I think I may just start actually repairing the one that's currently used as a vacuum when it breaks, so I can continue to have a good robotic vacuum.

Verring off topic... Can I run a Roomba whilst preventing it calling home? Is there a setting for that or would I have to configure firewall rules?

Not completely. If it's one that does mapping, that's all stored on the cloud.

You can prevent some of the telemetry with a pi hole, but be aware that every run will end with a notification of "communication error" when the Roomba tries to report on you

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#19
post #16
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Verring off topic... Can I run a Roomba whilst preventing it calling home? Is there a setting for that or would I have to configure firewall rules?

Not completely. If it's one that does mapping, that's all stored on the cloud. You can prevent some of the telemetry with a pi hole, but be aware that every run will end with a notification of "communication error" when the Roomba tries to report on you

Is there a maker of privacy respecting robot vacuum cleaners that you know of?

Re: Roombas at the end of the world

#20

Mine are named Trouble (S9+) and Mayhem (m6). They're dressed in vinyl wraps to be less boring.

Mine is named... whatever my 4yo daughter insists on calling it this month. I was completely surprised to see the robot vacuum get more affection from my kids than all their toys, and even our cat.

Mine was renamed "bobot", because my 2 year old struggled with the word "robot".
Post reply on HN