1y ago

Robot vaccums: Manufacturers and models that protect users' privacy?

Cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/4295133

My partner and I are getting a cat and consider getting a robot vacuum cleaner for our apartment to help keep it clean. Up until now, I've been against getting one due to privacy concerns and negative reports about certain manufacturers (e.g., iRobot/Roomba). Now I'm reevaluating, because my partner is sensitive to dust, and regular vacuuming will be a must.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations about manufacturers or models with a light privacy footprint or good reputation on that front?

I am aware that most robots that actually work will also gather data, and newer models even incorporate photo/video to improve pattern recognition performance. Still, I would be more comfortable with one that does that within reason (e.g., collects as little data as possible, transfers as little as possible to remote servers, encrypts data for transfer and storage).

6 comments

https://valetudo.cloud/
Best option right now if you want a fully functional robot vacuum without any privacy concerns.
- Running a Roborock S6 here with the alternative firmware by valetudo and https://dontvacuum.me/
  Really love the mqtt support, so integrating into my existing home-automation was really easy.

We have a Samsung Powerbot (The VR9300, an upgrade from the 7xxx we had for four years before it.) for a few reasons. It was the only one with a proper vacuum roller brush and motor, and whilst it has a camera on it, it is not internet connected. It uses the camera to map the ceiling and vacuums back and forth like a person instead of bouncing around in a random pattern.
I am very interested in the newer Samsung vacuums, which have a charging base that also empties the dust bin on it. These newer ones have of course lots of internet connected features like the ability to tell the vacuum not to do a room, but I contacted support who said they will work just fine without being connected.
We love our Powerbot, he has googly eyes and we named it Troll.

Have a look at privacy not included by Mozilla. They rate a lot of kind of products based on privacy.

We were conserned about the app requirements of iRobot as well, especially now Amazon bought them. I have to say, the Rumba works great without app, just press the big clean button and off it goes.
When you don't mind not being able to schedule, it's a great option, as part availability for those is great.

I know it's not exactly what you're asking but when faced with the same scenario my wife insisted on getting a dyson stick vacuum and even though I wanted a robot I have to say the dyson turned out to be a great choice, it's compact and convenient enough that it gets used daily and if you want to spot clean something it's a sinch, I haven't used a robovac so I can't really compare it but it's hard to imagine that it would perform as well, its worth mentioning that the motor is fairly powerful, it's easy to clean after each use and it stacks away nicely in the cupboard

6 comments