iRobot Roomba Vacuum Robot

iRobot Roomba robot vacuum - a robot development platform

Developers can use iRobot Roomba robot vacuum as a platform to remotely monitor Roomba robot vacuum's sensors and control its motors. Thus, robot enthusiasts can take advantage of iRobot Roomba robot vacuum's versatility and built a variety of applications that allow the robot to do more than just clean floors without having to build a robot from scratch.

In order to use the iRobot Roomba robot vacuum as a robot development platform, it has to support the the iRobot Roomba open interface. You can check if the roomba vacuum robot has a sticker that reads, "This robot contains an electronic and software interface.", or, to determine that if the date is later than October 24, 2005, if not, you will need to upgrade your Roomba with the optional OSMO //HACKER enhancement.

iRobot Roomba Open Interface

iRobot Roomba robot vacuum Mind Control from Element Products, Inc

The Mind Control lets you take command of your iRobot Roomba Vacuum Robot. This small and powerful device lets you write custom programs for your iRobot Roomba vacuum robot in the C and C++ languages while fitting in the space of the iRobot Roomba's expansion port. You write your own iRobot Roomba control programs on your PC and download them to the Mind Control through a USB port.

The Mind Control doesn't make any lasting changes to your iRobot Roomba. It temporarily takes control, issuing commands and reading sensors using the new Roomba Open Interface. When you unplug the Mind Control, your Roomba goes back to normal and is again ready to clean your floors.

The Mind Control is a complete development kit for programming the Roomba. The Mind Control includes::

Mind Control code stick
USB programmer

To program the code stick, insert it into the USB programmer which should be connected to your computer's USB port. Then, compile and download your program into the code stick. By simply plug the code stick into the serial port of your Roomba and it will run your code.

Roomba OSMO

The Roomba OSMO Programmer - allows you to enable your pre-October 2005 Roomba with the Serial Control Interface.

ROBODynamics' RooTooth Bluetooth adapter for Roomba

ROBODynamics' RooTooth Bluetooth adapter for Roomba provides Bluetooth capabilities to the Roomba and allows you to connect and communicate with the Roomba using any Bluetooth enabled device over Class 1 Bluetooth's Serial with up to 100 meters wireless range.

The Microsoft Robotic studio can be used with the iRobot Roomba when connected to the PC using ROBODynamics' RooTooth Bluetooth adapter.

ROBODynamics' RooStick USB Adapter for Roomba

RooStick provides an interface to connect a PC directly to the Roomba robot vacuum using the USB port. It is powered by the Silicon Lab CP2103 chip and comes with drivers for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Installing the driver software provided creates a virtual Communication port on your PC whereby you can communicate with the Roomba using a telnet or similar application. RooStick is ideal for placing a laptop, notebook, or tablet PC directly on top of Roomba.

iRobot Roomba Hacked Applications

Drive Roomba With Your Cell Phone	Roomba Frogger
RoombaMidi: Roomba as MIDI instrument	Roomba Hacking: Gamepad Control
Roomba Personalities	Pocket PC Remote Control for Roomba Robot Vacuum