Background and Identification
Roombas are autonomous vacuuming robots sold by iRobot. They originated in 2002, and numerous models have been released since.
Roombas are designed to use a variety of sensors to detect obstacles and navigate the floor by themselves. They are designed to vacuum as they move around, allowing users to keep their house clean without having to vacuum themselves. Roombas have various features depending on the model, including tangle-free brushes, increased vacuum power, obstacle avoidance, and performance maps visible from a smartphone app. Some newer Roomba devices have built-in cameras, enabling them to clean more effectively on their own.
A common repair need in Roomba vacuums is for the battery. Battery longevity and reliability is a common complaint amongst Roomba customers. While battery replacements from iRobot are expensive, Roomba batteries can be purchased separately and installed by Roomba owners themselves.
Roombas are generally disc-shaped and only a few inches in height. Some models are smaller than others, allowing the vacuum to fit in small areas. On the other hand, some Roombas are designed to be larger and cover more ground (literally) in a shorter time. Roombas are generally black, gray, or silver in color. Lastly, it is important to note that Roombas are appreciated by both homeowners and cats alike.