My wife and I were just discussing a similar issue. In the 1990’s the hospital she was associated with experimented with a robotic cart to deliver medications.
On the first test run, the prototype kept going down the hall, came to the automatic doors that opened and it wound up in the parking lot.
The test engineer for the company that developed it had a sense of humor, his remark was, “Great! We set it loose and the first thing it does is make a run for it.”
Son gave us one of them and we used it for a short while on first floor which is wood floored. Worked ok but was irritatingly frequent getting stuck under sofas and chairs and needing rescue. It actually did not pick up much of light dust.
Second son gave us another for the upstairs which has deep carpet. It’s ran last about 15 minutes before the lint, carpet fiber, etc choked it out and same hang ups under furniture. Both have been returned with thanks but no regrets.
Our old canister still does a better job, but with almost no irritating quirks. No getting stuck, no recharge time, no filter clogs, long reach, but also can do drapes and blinds. Replacement parts easily available. Just needs the element known as ‘elbow grease,’ a gradually disappearing substance, once known to improve everything to which it was applied. It still does in this house.
Superfrog over 1 year ago
It’ll never survive in the wild because nature abhors a vacuum.
The Reader Premium Member over 1 year ago
Your lawn looks so clean!
Imagine over 1 year ago
Meanwhile your robotic lawnmower just mowed our rug.
Direwolf over 1 year ago
Why am I hearing the theme from Jaws?
dflak over 1 year ago
My wife and I were just discussing a similar issue. In the 1990’s the hospital she was associated with experimented with a robotic cart to deliver medications.
On the first test run, the prototype kept going down the hall, came to the automatic doors that opened and it wound up in the parking lot.
The test engineer for the company that developed it had a sense of humor, his remark was, “Great! We set it loose and the first thing it does is make a run for it.”
LeftCoastKen Premium Member over 1 year ago
It’s secretly dating your Siri.
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
Now it’s trimming around my tree….hurry….
sandpiper over 1 year ago
Son gave us one of them and we used it for a short while on first floor which is wood floored. Worked ok but was irritatingly frequent getting stuck under sofas and chairs and needing rescue. It actually did not pick up much of light dust.
Second son gave us another for the upstairs which has deep carpet. It’s ran last about 15 minutes before the lint, carpet fiber, etc choked it out and same hang ups under furniture. Both have been returned with thanks but no regrets.
Our old canister still does a better job, but with almost no irritating quirks. No getting stuck, no recharge time, no filter clogs, long reach, but also can do drapes and blinds. Replacement parts easily available. Just needs the element known as ‘elbow grease,’ a gradually disappearing substance, once known to improve everything to which it was applied. It still does in this house.
Dapperdan61 Premium Member over 1 year ago
A roaming Roomba is better than the neighbors dog coming over to do its business in our yard
ladykat over 1 year ago
If I had a roomba and it escaped, it would probably start cleaning the parking lot.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 1 year ago
Friend of mine can’t find his, doesn’t know where it went! Maybe it sought freedom too.
PoodleGroomer over 1 year ago
Put some weed whacker line on it and point it at the dandelions.
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
The squirrels are upset; it’s sucked up all the buried acorns.
sobrown51 over 1 year ago
Gonna need to empty it more when its out.
tee929 over 1 year ago
“but don’t hurry, the Roomba hasn’t finished the leaves yet!”
ncorgbl over 1 year ago
A phone call? If she was a Republican/conservative she would have shot it.
cuzinron47 over 1 year ago
And it treed out cat.