New Neato FW Spotted 3.0.17235

[djos]

On the Aussie Whirlpool forums here:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-re ... p=62#r1236

I wonder when it will be released to the general Neato population?

[vic7767]

I think it's started to trickle down from the Neato store. Also in 3.0 there is additional info about the Board SW version and also the ability to turn the Bin Full Message On/Off.

[justflie]

Any word on new features in 3.0?

[neato]

Neato has released software 3.0.17235 as a manufacturing update. It contains support for hardware changes to improve Neato manufacturing. It is not needed for previous Neatos so it is not offered as a web update.

But that doesn't mean that Neato isn't working on a software update with new features.

[gregjsmith]

I hope that update involves a updater that works on a Mac.

[djos]

And amd64 too!

[mycropht]

But that doesn't mean that Neato isn't working on a software update with new features.

I would like one simple thing to be done. After I clean Neato I would like to be able to just put it on the floor near the dock and have it go to the dock by itself. It would be enough if that would work only if the dock is directly visible (it could just display: "Put me near the dock" if the dock is not in sight). In my case the dock is under a desk and I hate to go under the desk to put the robot by the dock.

Otherwise, we love our Neato.

[Osteo]

I would like one simple thing to be done. After I clean Neato I would like to be able to just put it on the floor near the dock and have it go to the dock by itself. It would be enough if that would work only if the dock is directly visible (it could just display: "Put me near the dock" if the dock is not in sight). In my case the dock is under a desk and I hate to go under the desk to put the robot by the dock.

Otherwise, we love our Neato.

Seconded! We have 2 bases, one upstairs, one downstairs. The one downstairs resides under a built in desk and we'd LOVE to be able to put Neato down in front of the base and hit "Go Home" or something similar when picking up and moving from one base to the other.

I wonder if we should have a wish list thread for firmware improvements so our visitor from Neato could communicate back to the powers that be what we're looking fo...

[frighte]

Hey all, I've been a long time reader for roomba info but joined today specifically to discuss this new firmware for my new xv-11. The original vac I bought had the 1.3 firmware which I stupidly upgraded to 2.6. Shortly thereafter I got an unexplained stuck brush error. I did check the metal drive gear for hair and cleaned the minuscule amount from it. No manner of battery pulls, brush reseating, or bearing cleanings solved it. I even used an ultrasonic cleaner for the bearings and end caps which cleaned the parts better than new. Sent it in for refurb replacement which also had the 2.6 and days later had the unexplained stuck brush error. Sent it in again and they sent me a spanking new unit with the 3.0.x firmware and just had my first run today.

First and most annoying, the robot seems to jam itself into corners which it should be able to easily get out of. It hits a corner, backs out a little and tries to turn 90 degrees, but if it hits something again it tries to back up again but just ends up digging its backside into my wall and scrapes paint off until it gives up and says to check its wheels. This happens consistently in a couple areas of my house. Mind you that after that second attempt to back up it does successfully clear its bumper but just keeps plowing in reverse anyway.

Second is that 3.0 seems to bring back docking failure. Now not only does it fail to dock, but it drives off about 10 feet in a random direction after the attempt and stops.

Much as I hated 2.6 in comparison to 1.3, at least 2.6 didn't give me the problems above.

[a4refillpad]

Hi,
You may be frustrated by the new behaviour but any chance of taking a video and posting how it tackles corners? Sounds like neato has attempted to change the way it handles corners for the new firmware. This has been long awaited by many people in this forum.

[frighte]

Here is an example of what I'm talking about:
http://frank-espanto.blogspot.com/2012/ ... video.html

my camera memory ran out just as the warning beep sounded for a its left wheel. All the other times it was the right.

edit:
whatever video conversion blogger uses is really bad. in the original video you can clearly see where i zoomed into the bumper and that it was free of the obstacle(guitar effects pedals) yet still shimmying backwards into my wall paint...

[chris-s]

This is not a clean corner, something at the left of the robot makes it going backwards.
Send this video to Neatorobotics support in order they could maker a firmware update for this specific situation.

Can you post another video to see how the Neato takes clean corners ?

[Edan-Grossman]

I just got my neato xv-14 from costco and the "show revisions" screen reads:

SN 0011626
SW 3.0.17235
LDS V2.6.15295
Board Rev 64
Board SW 17242

I'm not sure what the normal behavior is for the 2.6 firmware, but my neato doesn't drive straight into the 90 degree corner and back out. Mine turns before it reaches the corner. And this is a cleared corner that doesn't have any obstacles in the center.

I think it would be a good change if it would take advantage of the square front by driving into the corners as it would help reduce the uncleaned gap which is wider than it should be at the corners.

I would also like to point out that i have the option to enable and disable the "bin full indicator." it is enabled by default so I left it at that, however my bin became full several times and there was no warning whatsoever. I'm assuming that that option does nothing right now and we'll have to wait for an update that does enable that feature. I will try disabling it to see if there is any difference in the behavior.

[viper001]

Anyone have an idea when 3.0 will be available for download since they are already shipping units with it installed?

[JEfromCanada]

Anyone have an idea when 3.0 will be available for download since they are already shipping units with it installed?

In another thread user "Neato" has stated this version of firmware is a manufacturing release to support redesigned hardware, and that it won't be available for general upgrade. He then stated that there is work being done on upgraded features for the the units currently running at version 2.6.

[JEfromCanada]

First and most annoying, the robot seems to jam itself into corners which it should be able to easily get out of. It hits a corner, backs out a little and tries to turn 90 degrees

As mentioned by another poster, this appears to be the behavior requested by many in this forum, that Neato better handle corners by going deep into the corners.

Dare I dream???

[chris-s]

[...] to support redesigned hardware

What kind of hardware difference ?

[JEfromCanada]

[...] to support redesigned hardware

What kind of hardware difference ?

I don't work for Neato. Find the other post and read it for yourself.

[glnc222]

Software revisions need not involve changes in function, just adjustments to operate new versions of component parts with changed requirements to do the same thing.

Component makers release new versions almost annually, and stop making old ones. For example, a chip used for the USB interface could have expanded features for new levels of USB unused, and require some additional commands from the cpu to handle selection of options. More complex changes could apply to processing sensor outputs, or if gear motors were changed and rpm controls must be adjusted.
A new Microcontroller doing the same thing but just a new model could warrant a new release just to verify it works with the new part, just industrial mfg matters and quality control rigmarole.

Significant hardware differences will be revealed when a new release for 2.6 users is prohibited on machines using this 3.x release.

[frighte]

@chris

I've just spent the last 30 minutes roaming my small home and oddly enough, I don't have any "clean corners". Soon as I get a little time i'll move some of my crap around and attempt to film it.