Archive for the 'roomba' Category

iRobot Create Robot Review

Posted by todbot on May 17th, 2007

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.

irobot-create-kit.jpg

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

Posted by todbot on May 17th, 2007

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

Posted by todbot on December 21st, 2006

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

Posted by todbot on December 8th, 2006

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

Posted by todbot on November 29th, 2006

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.


(revver link, youtube link)

Build your own Cylon Roomba.
Learn about how they work in order to reprogram them and avert the Cylon war!

HackingRoomba.com updates

Posted by todbot on November 28th, 2006

HackingRoomba.com site launch

Posted by todbot on November 12th, 2006

The official accompaniment site for my new book Hacking Roomba is online.

It’s called (surprise) HackingRoomba.com.

Thanks to Judith, Mike, and Ben for all their help getting it out.

Hacking Roomba now available for pre-order

Posted by todbot on November 10th, 2006

I am thrilled to announce that Hacking Roomba, my book about how to turn your Roomba into your own singing, dancing, art making robot is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be shipping in mid-November, just in time for the holidays!


hacking roomba