this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2025
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iRobot is likely to collapse within 12 months. (www.theregister.com)
submitted 16 hours ago by Tea@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world
92 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Troubled robot vacuum-cleaner maker iRobot, abandoned by Amazon after regulators effectively doomed the web giant's takeover offer, has warned investors it may not survive the next 12 months.

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[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 86 points 15 hours ago (7 children)

(I know I didn't contribute shit & just complain but) ... isn't it a bit weird how after all this time there arent any good open sauce diy robot kits?

Like, materials, sensors, brushes, filters, batteries, etc are all cheaply available, a basic board could literally be just cut plywood with the rest is the things mounted on top (who even needs a cover?). And ofc one could mount various weapons mod on it.

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 67 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

There is https://valetudo.cloud/ for a lot of existing models, it's about the closest thing we have.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 14 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

Oh fuck, ~~I'm gonna~~ I might test this.
I've never heard of it before, but the more I read the more I like it.

Thx!

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

I have it on a Roborock S5 and it works great, so much more stable than the original firmware that requires an internet connection.

Certain models can be harder to root though, so read through the description and guide thoroughly first.

[–] Estebiu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

I have an S5 Max, its a long time I think about switching.. but I dunno if its worth it

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 hour ago

Yeah if it's working fine now I wouldn't bother.

[–] onoki@reddthat.com 13 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

"for a lot of models" is a bit of an exaggeration. Especially as Xiaomi/Dreame try to actively restrict Valetudo use.

But yes, Valetudo is a great project. I'd just wish there was a manufacturer who would openly endorse it.

[–] plenipotentprotogod@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

I've wondered before how large an order would be required to entice a white label manufacturer of robot vacuums into doing a production run of units with Valetudo preinstalled.

I would absolutely buy one if someone could work out a fair business arrangement with the developer and throw the project up on kickstarter.

[–] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 18 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

Go ahead and make one then. Nobody is stopping you from being the first.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 28 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

... I'm that, my best is what is stopping me :(.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 17 points 12 hours ago

Popular Science had an "open source" robot lawnmower plans in the...80s? I have it somewhere. Old enough that it used deep cycle lead-acid batteries and spinning round dremel blades. No laser to cut the grass, although it did use LEDs for sensors for grass height.

[–] turkalino@lemmy.yachts 11 points 6 hours ago (3 children)

I love DIY tech projects and yet I would never go through the effort to make a robot vacuum because vacuuming is already the easiest chore in the house. You kinda just stand there and go swoop swoop swoop a few times. Takes like 3 minutes to do an entire room. As opposed to listening to the robot vacuum rumble around for an hour and do a half ass job, if it even finishes without getting spooked by a shadow thinking it’s a 100ft cliff

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 3 points 5 hours ago

Yes, we all need to manage our lives & our shortcomings.
I like vacuum cleaning chore too, but can have periods when my brainhole just won't register the todo.

[–] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 2 points 6 hours ago

Got a good deal on a Roomba, I have a shark with HEPA filter and all, very good vacuum. I can vacuum, then let the Roomba run, and it still finds shit. I like it, especially for pet hair. Only thing I don't like is it's random pattern, mine doesn't map the room, refuse to get one with a camera.

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 hour ago

I really don't like vacuuming, so to me it doesn't matter how long it takes; I can set it up and then leave the house

[–] cyd@lemmy.world 6 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

I mean, I don't demand an open source washing machine or dryer either.

[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 9 points 12 hours ago

yes but they don't need a cloud service, neither scanning your home to function

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 3 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

Ok, but that would be amazing.

Imagine the ability to actually define your own cycles.

Tho how most are built, that shouldn't be that hard with a little arduino.

[–] Tattorack@lemmy.world 5 points 12 hours ago

What about LEGO Mindstorms? Does that count?

[–] mx_smith@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

Didn’t iRobot put out a DIY robot/vacuum that you could assemble how you wanted?