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iRobot Create Robot Review

Over at HackingRoomba.com, I did a quick review of the iRobot Create, iRobot’s robotics hacking-oriented robot that is basically a Roomba in disguise.

Short version: All the Roomba hacks here work on the Create, and the Create offers several advantages to the serious robotics experimenter. However, it’s not as cost-effective if you’re on a budget.

Roomba Hacking at Maker Faire

Come see many of the Roomba hacks from the HackingRoomba.com site and book! Roombas will be singing, dancing, making art and generally making a nuisance of themselves.

Maker Faire is “a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful folks who like to tinker and love to make things. We call them Makers.”

It’ll be a lot of fun, come join us!

Where: Maker Faire, San Mateo Fairgrounds.
When: May 19 & 20

Roombas Go Caroling

The Roomba family was out caroling. They stopped by and sang a few songs. I caught a few on tape. I think they were a little tipsy on mulled 30W or something.

(revver link)

This was a demo of RoombaMidi2, a Mac OS X program to turn your Roomba into a MIDI instrument. Click the link to find out how and get the source code (and find out why they were so drunk).

Happy Holidays from HackingRoomba.com

Roomba Tilt Control and Holiday Buying Guide

Two updates from HackingRoomba.com.

First, if you’re unsure about how to get into hacking Roombas or just want some tips on how to get cheap Roombas, see the DIY Robotics with Roomba Holiday Buying Guide.

Second, if you’ve got a MacBook and a Roomba, try out this way of using the MacBook’s built-in tilt sensors and Perl to control your Roomba:

(revver link)

Full details available on the Hacking Roomba project page.

Cylon Roomba – they do exist

With my recent infiltration of the Roomba home world, I was able to capture behind-the-scenes footage of several Roombas as they plan the takeover of humanity. Kevin and Alex were right in Diggnation #71, this is how the first Cylon war begins.