Best robotic cleaner

[TheGoat]

I saw a robotic cleaner in Harrods the other day, it looked pretty cool, it was circular shaped and had good collision detection although it didn't seem to have much suction power (arf ! arf !).

I was just wondering has anyone ever used one of these or would you recommend one... just to pick up the bits of fluff and loose dirt from the carpet whilst I'm out ???

They won't be as thorough as say a Dyson on manual but I so you think its worth it as an automaton to clean the carpet ???

Apparently it returns to its docking station automatically and then re-charges itself !

Michel Crichton's Westworld here we come !

[NickFitz]

A Roomba? My mum and dad have got one - they reckon it's really good. Then again, they do like gadgets.

It is entertaining watching it wander around the place, then head off back to its base and plug itself in - when it gets there, it plays a little tune to celebrate

[PAH]

I'm waiting for the one that can paint walls.

[chef]

I've got one, very useful and u can also set a timer on it so it only cleans when im out as it can be a bit noisy..

excellent for cleaning up pine needles 3got it last xmas)

definitely worth buying

[TimberWolf]

I gather the Roomba uses only 30 Watts (compare that to the 1900 Watts of my vacuum cleaner) and that it's efficacy, with such little power to draw from, comes from its sweeping rather than its sucking prowess. But its customer reviews don't seen too bad, perhaps because the people that buy them have regular vacuum cleaners too.

[KackAttack]

We have the Roomba, best cleaner we've ever owned.

The first clean on the carpet previously cleaned by a regular machine picked up loads of dust & dirt.

Go out and buy one straight away you wont be disappointed.

[Bagpuss]

my cat has one

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ-jv8g1YVI

[Cheshire Cat]

My mate bought one, and it caught fire. Just spontaneously combust in the front room. Thankfully he was in when this happened.
As Lyn Folds-Wood might say "a potential deathtrap"

[Purple Dalek]

My mate bought one, and it caught fire. Just spontaneously combust in the front room. Thankfully he was in when this happened.
As Lyn Folds-Wood might say "a potential deathtrap"

I think this tends to happen with grey-imports from the USA. The power supply won't work with 240 volts and catches fire. Either use one of them in-line transformers or if you know which end of a soldering iron is hot, then you can exchange a couple of components in it.

[eliquant]

My mate bought one, and it caught fire. Just spontaneously combust in the front room. Thankfully he was in when this happened.
As Lyn Folds-Wood might say "a potential deathtrap"

How did this actually occur ? was it whilst it was docked and charging or when it was actually charged an in motion ?