Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

A japanese inventor, or should I say computer hacker, has come up with a way to control a Roomba robotic vac with Microsoft's new Kinect program.  Though you ordinarily would just allow a Roomba to turn on do its thing, Ogutti the hacker, has found a way to make the machine follow hand movement with no remote control involved.  I wouldn't want to have to direct a robotic machine while doing the whole house but I see an advantage if it is suddenlty required for spot cleaning or sweeping up dry spills.  A brief articla and a video demo can be found at the following link.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/video-hacking-microsoft-kinect-and-a-roomba/

Venson

Venson wrote:

Agree Venson.  A both and approach.  Robotic and/or operator controlled direction if and when needed or both.  That would be the robotic vacuum of the future. 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

Even better, there's one less remote control to hunt down.  I wonder if Roomba, Samsung and others will actually try including this new technology.  I wince when I think of what it may cost for a feature like that but I like the idea.

Just a wave of the hand changing the channel on your TV, turning the volume on the stereo up or down or even starting the cycle of a washing machine with no trips to Rite-Aid or CVS for batteries to keep a remote juiced.

Venson

Venson wrote:
Whilst I think the Windows idea is a good one (perhaps TV and computers one day will become one, I can see its not far off) the humble RCU for the TV could incorporate the Roomba control. Now Samsung make TV's and they also make robotic vacs - could easily be done.

vacmanuk wrote:

Hi vacmanuk,

I don't know how the technology works or how far is can get you but there are actually some "trainable" remote controls for sale that can scan and pick-up operating data from various remotes made for specific devices. I don't know if they are easy to use.  Then again, the beauty of the thing is still needing no remote device.  However, the one thing I have not explored is what happens if your dog walks by one of these Kinetic-prepped devices and wags his tail. 

Venson

Venson wrote:
I thnk they'd probably be able to program the system without recognising pets - or curtain ties that "wave in the wind," if taking it to extremes.