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Troubled robot vacuum-cleaner maker iRobot, abandoned by Amazon after regulators effectively doomed the web giant's takeover offer, has warned investors it may not survive the next 12 months.

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[-] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 100 points 1 month ago

(I know I didn't contribute shit & just complain but) ... isn't it a bit weird how after all this time there arent any good open sauce diy robot kits?

Like, materials, sensors, brushes, filters, batteries, etc are all cheaply available, a basic board could literally be just cut plywood with the rest is the things mounted on top (who even needs a cover?). And ofc one could mount various weapons mod on it.

[-] MangoPenguin 86 points 4 weeks ago

There is https://valetudo.cloud/ for a lot of existing models, it's about the closest thing we have.

[-] Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee 20 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Oh fuck, ~~I'm gonna~~ I might test this.
I've never heard of it before, but the more I read the more I like it.

Thx!

[-] MangoPenguin 15 points 4 weeks ago

I have it on a Roborock S5 and it works great, so much more stable than the original firmware that requires an internet connection.

Certain models can be harder to root though, so read through the description and guide thoroughly first.

[-] Estebiu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 4 weeks ago

I have an S5 Max, its a long time I think about switching.. but I dunno if its worth it

[-] MangoPenguin 2 points 4 weeks ago

Yeah if it's working fine now I wouldn't bother.

[-] onoki@reddthat.com 18 points 4 weeks ago

"for a lot of models" is a bit of an exaggeration. Especially as Xiaomi/Dreame try to actively restrict Valetudo use.

But yes, Valetudo is a great project. I'd just wish there was a manufacturer who would openly endorse it.

[-] plenipotentprotogod@lemmy.world 6 points 4 weeks ago

I've wondered before how large an order would be required to entice a white label manufacturer of robot vacuums into doing a production run of units with Valetudo preinstalled.

I would absolutely buy one if someone could work out a fair business arrangement with the developer and throw the project up on kickstarter.

[-] anarchiddy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 weeks ago

There are not enough smart-vacuum owners in the world that would make it more profitable to just make the hardware without hoovering up the data that comes with its use.

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this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2025
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