Welcome to the RobotShop Forum. Programming a robot to map out an area like the Neato would require either a laser rangefinder, camera system or indoor localization system. Creating boundary markers like the “virtual walls” is best done using focused infrared light and an omnidirectional receiver mounted on the robot itself. Simple boundary markers could be setup using magnetic strips along the edges or contrasting colors. The difficulty with contrasting colors is that the rug itself may have a pattern. You would also need to install touch sensors to ensure it it did not run over anyone or any pets. The “brain” could be a microcontroller.
The magnetic strips are just used to prevent the robot from passing into a different area. It does not help it map a room. It of course uses the laser for the mapping.
It comes with 15 feet of magnetic strip. Additional magentic strips can also be purchased separately (though it is standard and you could devise your own easily). The Neato uses magnetic sensors in the bumper and turns around when the magnetic strip is reached.
It is in stock and ready to ship. Just a note, if you take the robot apart the warranty is void.
Try using the RobotShop Drive Motor Sizing Tool. Since the surface will be horizontal, there are other torques which need to be considered, such as the rotating brush inside the machine, friction in the wheels etc. Note that the Neato maps a room as opposed to a rug and uses a spinning laser to always get up todate information. There is a whitepaper available which may help.
I need some help to automate a portable and professional rug cleaning machine. The machine is about the same size and weight (90 lbs) as a robotic lawnmower so i figure that this will be the best forum to get help.
The unit has 2 wheels at the back and 1 swivel wheel at the front so turning will be no problem.
The unit will need to have a smart brain to grid out the area, and I would prefer to use the Pylon “virtual wall” system to establish the perimeters of the area to be cleaned, and then have the unit grid out the rest of the area and travel like the Neato vac system.
Any help pointing me in the right direction is appreciated.
Thanks for the reply and help Coleman.
Do you know if the Neato will find the magnetic strips and the lay out a “grid” so as to cover an area in straight lines?
Also, how much of the magnetic strip material comes with the neato?
What drive motors would you recommend for this machine, weighs @ 92 lbs, on 3 wheels over carpet, no hills. Drive wheels are 4" and we will require it to move very slowly at @ 10’ per minute?
I am thinking that I wil order a neato to try it out and if it works will have an electonics hobbiest work on this project to “duplicate” what the neato will do so we can have an robotic rug duster.
Next question, are the neatos ready to ship from the Canadian distributor or is their a wait?
Could anyone share image of rug machine please, me too have requirement of reg cleaner but i don’t have idea from where to i bought machine and which carpet cleaner would be good for cleaning. Response would be appreciated, all the best.
