iRobot Roomba 530 Robotic Cleaner

We've used an older Roomba for a year and a half, bought it used on Ebay, and expect to keep at least a pair them around, more than one so there'll always be a standby. These robots free up the cleaning lady's time so she can more regularly get at blinds, windows, upholstery & showers.

At $75 a visit and a third of her time spent vacuuming, it doesn't take long to pay down the robot, and the house, which is well-supplied with bric-a-brac and other dust catchers, has never been cleaner, now gets vacuumed two or three times a week instead of one.

A new model 530 arrived a week or so back and impresses me as being a bit more of a machine than the older model. It seems a bit more athletic, maybe better sprung, and the working parts are noticeably beefier than the prior generation that worked so well.

Its battery isn't removeable, but it doesn't need to be. We keep an extra charged battery for the Discovery series so two rooms can be vacuumed in one 'session', punctuated by swapping batteries and cleaning the dust bin.

But, the 350 gets these two large, carpeted rooms (about 15 X 45 separated by a door) in one charge, spent appropriate time in both, and it manages to pick up a lot more than it's predecessor machine did. It _sounds_ more powerful, doesn't hesitate at thresholds, and it has six beefier little flipper-thingers to get at edges where the old machine only has two.

Both bins, the compartment where it flips the hair of pinchers (dobe & mini) & other larger particles and at the exhaust filter where it traps the finest dust, are larger than before and it runs for more than an hour before seeking out its home base.

It seems to have a better scheme for getting out of tight places and avoiding carpeted stairs, both of which were a challenge for the older model. I'd gotten used to planting the 'virtual walls' to keep the robot in one room, and a couple of strategically placed shoes to keep it getting stuck under a chair. This new machine doesn't require any preparation other than the clutter-free floors, is a bit taller so doesn't try to burrow under the ottoman.

Roomba's insect-like intelligence, or common sense, is well suited for this household task and except for tight corners, steps, and blinds it vacuums better than people.

We're hoping iRobot will make a robot for cleaning stairs and showers soon, reckon it won't be too long, if they can wield an M16 they should be able to handle steps?