Foo - Any thoughts on the Roomba or similar devices?

I have to sweep up the cat litter tracked into the kitchen every couple of days. Any thoughts or ideas on how the Roomba or similar devices work? I see a model at Costco for a little bit over $ 200. This would be for a vinyl floor, but if it wants to venture out into the remainder of the lower floor, covered in low-pile carpet, I would not mind.

A neighbor has owned 3 roomba's. Golden retriever hair kills them.

If you have a University near by, odds are there's an electronics surplus store with all the required parts to build a roomba-ish robot on steroids. Think about R2-D2's size.

If you have a University near by, odds are there's an electronics surplus store with all the required parts to build a roomba-ish robot on steroids. Think about R2-D2's size.

Like this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yw_o2_KAXxc/TNmwi-MQu2I/AAAAAAAAKSs/-OBTGirtW2Y/s1600/star_wars_r2_d2_robot_vacuum_cleaner.jpg

I thought we only paid a c-note for ours but it could have been 2. We got several years of kitchen sweeping out of it. Not much use beyond there. It is shelved now, stock battery died, not too many charging cycles, replacement battery lasted even less. For kitchen sweeping it was just fantastic. We tried to get it to do other rooms on our downstairs (hardwood w/ the occasional area rug) and it was too much work to fence it in (and not nearly the mess in the 1st place so less apparent payoff for the setup work). By the end of its time the kids were big enough to take over kitchen sweeping so we haven't replaced her.

My sister has 2 cats and hardwood floors and she loves the Roomba. She has a couple of them in different parts of the house.

Another option for the cat litter is to put a rug or mat on the floor at the entrance to the litter box. It cuts down on the litter tracking.

My sister has 2 cats and hardwood floors and she loves the Roomba. She has a couple of them in different parts of the house.

Another option for the cat litter is to put a rug or mat on the floor at the entrance to the litter box. It cuts down on the litter tracking.

Yes, I have one of those mats, and they do help, but they don't capture all the litter off the paws.

How do the cats like the Roombas?

The idea of being able to terrify the cats by remote does have a certain appeal...

Have you tried the paper-based litter?
http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/27941

Just get rid of the cats....problem solved.

Just get rid of the cats....problem solved.

This. They're just plotting to kill you anyway.

They suck.

I will say this: If your cat ever poops outside the litter box (as mine does occasionally), perhaps a Roomba is not for you. :eek:

They suck.

Mostly they sweep (my usual response would be 'no, they pressure-push' but that is pretty much not the case here)

Love ours, but it died. :(

I've found that the gearing is too low and they are notoriously hard to ride, the saddle is pretty much non existent. :)

I've found that the gearing is too low and they are notoriously hard to ride, the saddle is pretty much non existent. :):thumb:

I've found that the gearing is too low and they are notoriously hard to ride, the saddle is pretty much non existent. :)

Ridin' the Roomba, you are doin' it wrong.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfsr52ocYlQ

We love ours. It is nice to have the carpets somewhat cleaned while you are out. Granted, it isn't our Bissell super-whatever-it-is pet vacuum, but it does help keep the house from looking like we have a toddler and a baby. :)

I will say this: If your cat ever poops outside the litter box (as mine does occasionally), perhaps a Roomba is not for you. :eek:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q4cLRBaDvg
Poomba? Poobot?

How do the cats like the Roombas?

The idea of being able to terrify the cats by remote does have a certain appeal...

google "cats riding roomba". Some of them like it.

Just get rid of the cats....problem solved.

You're insensative to cat mongers.
Their goal is so many cats your eyes water when you come in the door.