I’ve literally always wanted a robo cleaner but I’m really not a fan of Appliances that send reports back to some creepy corpo. Does anyone have suggestions on where to start looking? All I’m finding is smart tech versions.
Yep. Grab the Robrock S5 Max and never download the app or connect it to the net. It runs 100% offline.
Make sure its the S5 Max; later versions all seem to require WiFi / app. Can confirm my S5 Max doesn’t.
In fact, here’s the literal eBay seller I got mine from
Faster, cheaper, OpenSource tech, 100% private
Not very repairable. 3/10
It’s modular
Love that option, but I don’t have time and the kid willfully chooses to do it wrong. Plus I’ve just always thought they were cool.
broom gang broom gang
Get one Valetudo supported i guess.
Also check which one is easiest to install valetudo on, because some require quite a bit of work.
For example Eureka J15 Max Ultra only requires a Linux Laptop and a micro USB cable. All warranty seals stay intact.
While Roborock Q7 Max requires full disassembly and breaks warranty
I’m not too worried about warranties, eventually everything I own gets tinkered on.
Check out valetudo.cloud
I have a dreame breakout PCB I can mail in Canada, if someone does choose to go with Valetudo and requires it. :)
Don’t do robo-rock. 1 year warranty for a $700 vacuum. Mine died 18 months in. They refused to repair or replace it. garbage company.
The maintainer of the Roborock Home Assistant integration has managed to disconnect roborock vacuum robots from the cloud with a local server. I’ve been eyeing it but haven’t gotten to trying it yet, so please let me know if you do.
You can find it here:
https://github.com/Python-roborock/local_roborock_serverValetudo is your best bet.
This is a case for Valetudo for sure
There’s a DIY open-source robot vacuum project called Oomwoo that’s currently in development and is planning to have prototypes made soon.
It doesn’t answer your question right now, but it might be keeping an eye on as a future option
If you’re willing to manually start it every time you want your floors cleaned, I imagine you could get away with a number of them. I have a Shark one that I do this with- it has two big buttons on the front to start cleaning or to go dock itself. I discovered this after I tried for a half hour to get it connected to my home network and it kept refusing so I gave up.
Nothing says you have to download an app or connect it to WiFi. I’m on my second one and it works fine without it.
One that supports valetudo. Get the benefits and no spying.
Recently I’ve seen a few articles about someone isolating their vacuum and the company bricking it in response. I’d rather skip the fight than try to dodge the punch.
The eufy 11S MAX is a simple “bump and turn” robovac that doesn’t connect to the internet at all. I have one and it works well.
Honestly, if I don’t figure out a fancy one I may just get two of these.
There was a Foss diy vacbot posted somewhere not too long ago if that is up your alley.
If I can’t find one premade I’m not against doing it myself.
i’ve found one that’s called “italian design pumba” and its “intelligent obstacle evasion” is just bumper sensors. there don’t appear to be any cameras, infrared, lidar, phone apps, etc., which is exactly what i’m looking for!
you might have some luck looking for older brands/models along those lines from second-hand shops and refurbished resellers. they’re way cheaper too, as a nice bonus
https://maticrobots.com/ I have 2. Pricey, but do a good job and my data stays my own.
That’s definitely outside my current budget, but I do want one. All the QuikTrips in my area have knee high industrial versions of this that clean the floora constantly.
