The Roomba Scheduler is possibly one of the coolest robots one can buy for the home today. I was amazed at how well the thing works. I can’t wait to use the Roomba Open Interface and my new BlueSMiRF to write crazy software, like the Wiimote/Roomba solution. Awesome.

Unfortunately, while my Roomba was out on it’s first vacuuming mission of the Living Room floor, it dropped a little yellow clip behind it. I quickly pressed the power button, and the robot halted immediately. The Roomba had broken it’s Brush Guard.

My experience with iRobot so far has been limited, but the interface that they provided for support is good. They have online chat, e-mail, and phone support, all of which is staffed reasonable hours. I sent an e-mail with attached photo asking for a part replacement. I hope they respond to it promptly, because I really want to get vacuuming : ).

I was disappointed, but these things happen. Mine was a reconditioned unit; perhaps the previous owner was not so nice to his robot. Roomba makes these cute melodies of beeps, and drives around and gets stuck, then un-stuck. Sick almost seems like a better word to describe it’s condition than broken.