lost_soul on 30/12/2009 at 12:27

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So, I went over to my mom's house today and she showed me this little bot that scoots around on the floor and cleans the room! It reminded me of those little cleaner bots from DX. This doesn't use any kind of visual indicator when it approaches a wall, it simply turns and goes in another direction. It can, however be programmed to automatically clean at a given time and then return to base by itsself! It will also automatically return to base if the battery gets low for a recharge.

When I played DX in 2001, I didn't think I would see something like this in real life. Apparently they cost around $400 though. She told me this thing can also talk.

(http://www.amazon.com/iRobot-560-Roomba-Vacuuming-Silver/dp/B000UUBCNO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1262175877&sr=8-1)

Al_B on 30/12/2009 at 15:32

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I've never seen one in action myself. They sound useful for certain rooms although I've heard some of the early models are a little loud. The first ones I remember hearing about were the Trilobite models which (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolux_Trilobite) wikipedia claims were out in 2001.

catbarf on 30/12/2009 at 18:08

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A few years ago, IIRC, the source code was released so people turned them into pool cleaners and burglar alarms and stuff.

Macha on 31/12/2009 at 16:46

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MUST BUY....