iRobot Roomba Robotic FloorVac:

Cleans floors all by itself. Just turn it on and walk away!

Roomba Review

The Roomba FloorVac from iRobot is the first automatic vacuum available in the U.S., it's an intelligent vacuum cleaner that can clean hardwood, linoleum, tile and carpeted floors entirely on it's own. Using artificial intelligence algorithms and built-in infrared sensors to navigate and even avoid stairs and obstacles, the Roomba can clean your home and save you time as well.

First Impressions

When you first take the Roomba out of the box, it has a nice sturdy feel. At 6 pounds it's easy enough to carry in one hand using the fold-out handle on top of the unit. At 13 inches in diameter, and 3.6 inches in height, the Roomba is about the size of a bathroom scale. (Note: Standing on your Roomba is probably not a good idea...) It has a green power button on the top and three large white buttons which correspond to room size (Small, Medium, and Large). When you turn the unit over you'll notice that many of the parts jiggle and appear to be loose. Rest assured, they are supposed to move like that. After you snap the battery in to place, be prepared to get ready and wait. It takes 12 long hours before the battery is fully charged using the included charger. With a running time of approximately 60-90 minutes, you'll spend a lot of time waiting for the Roomba to recharge. If you plan to clean more than 2-3 rooms per day, consider getting the optional Rapid Charger. With an MSRP of $59.99 it's not cheap, but if you plan to use the Roomba often then it's an absolute necessity.