Carmine, I'd disagree on your point of fundamental technologies. The robotics industry is well established with regards to skills and R&D. A steady supply of graduates enters the job market each year. Many a startup are specialising in robotics, with a view to licensing their methods or being purchased by a bigger player. While sub-contract designers for vacuum technologies (fluid dynamics, etc) do exist, there's a lot less supplier / talent to choose from in this area.  
 
Personally, I'd much rather be in the position of a manufacturer with good, well-researched vacuum cleaner technology looking for robotics, than the other way around. For this reason LG, who appear to now be introducing credible bagless canisters, would be a good candidate for future robotic cleaner, with their vast consumer electronics background.
 
http://www.lge.com/products/model/detail/v-r4000.jhtml
 
From a brand point of view, I'd rather anyone other than iRobot. While undoubtedly the most popular brand, they also have a sizeable reputation for being a supplementary cleaner. If they were to launch a 'proper' robot cleaner, could the successfully pitch this against the negative connotations of the previous models?
 
If Dyson was to release robotic cleaner in the near future, they'd be in quite a strong position because of their brand, was has become quickly established. Their technology is widely promoted for offering unique benefits over other bagless clearers. They've also carved quite a reputation for being a plucky innovator.
 
You were asking about a suggestions price at retail for a domestic cleaning robot? Well, as ever, once a manufacturer reaches that holy grail, they'll be looking to get the biggest return possible on their vast R&D spend. I'd imagine they'll pitch it towards folks with high disposable income. The type of person who already employs a house cleaner or two. Once the early adaptor market has been 'served' and the competitors have tooled up to rush out their latests, the price will gradually drop to an acceptable level. I'd say you'd be looking at no more than $800 to start getting a wider acceptance. Then it's as many as you can crank off the production line to supply demand.
 
On a slightly different topic, I wonder if iRobot have plans to launch a commercial sized version of the scuba? I'm sure it would be perfect in many retail environments, if it had the capacity to clean the shop floor overnight at a price to match the existing 'sit on' commercial floor cleaners.

M00seUK et dyson fawners:
 
With words anything is possible for dyson.  Dyson can invent a vacuum that will go to the moon and back [with words].  Just don't ask dyson to actually do it.  It's just words.  
 
Carmine D.

Quote from M00seUK on 06/10/07 at 6:57pm:

 
It takes 9 months for a woman to have a baby!    
 
Carmine D.

Quote from M00seUK on 06/11/07 at 1:21pm:

 
M00seUK and dyson fawners:
 
When IRobot launched the Rhoomba robotic sweeper in October 2002, the Forum was already abuzz about a dyson robotic that was supposed to revolutionize household cleaning.  That was almost 5 years ago.  
 
Now there's criticism from dyson fawners for the IRobot [Rated NUMBER ONE IN ITS CLASS AND BEST ROBOTIC VACUUM by Consumers Reports] as "just a surface cleaner." And musings if a better IRobot will ever be in the offing.  And of course more and more "dyson-speak" about the dyson robotic vacuum.  Even a caveat from Sir James himself that a dyson robotic will never launch until it's the best there is.   Well it's been over 5 years and counting.  Where's the "better" dyson robotic vacuum?  
 
It's easy to impugn IRobot for "perceived" shortcomings.  What does dyson have to compare?  What dyson product has a run time of 70 minutes?  Not even close.  Just more dyson talk.  Dyson speak in ample supply and abundance.  
 
Unless and until there is a robotic dyson vacuum on the market AND IT'S BETTER than ALL the competition, dyson can't speak let alone criticize.  Dyson can't "talk" down THE MARKET LEADER with over 15 years of successful proven robotics' technology.  Unless it's just the same old dyson-speak.  Dyson-speak HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND PROOF OF A BETTER PRODUCT (AFTER 5 YEARS OF DYSON-TALK).  NADA.
 
Carmine D.  
 

Quote from Carmine_Difazio on 06/11/07 at 7:42am:

 
Dyson could choose to introduce a POS like Hoover did every month or two.  They would rather introduce quality than to go downd the drain like hoover.