[ Corners ] Kobold's developers more clever than Neato's ?

[chris-s]

Now the Kobold VR100 has improved corner covering with the new 3.1 firmware release.

Any chance to have the same for Neato's in the future ?

Video here :

[Wing Nut]

That's better!

[glnc222]

My understanding is Neato Robotics is Kobold's developers for this machine; they didn't just license it.

[JEfromCanada]

This is exactly the cornering implementation that several on this forum had suggested. I'm looking forward to seeing it in the next iteration of Neato (North American) firmware.

[Vetekli]

Looks great! I really hope this comes to my Neato soon!

[fore]

Very interesting; just what we've been calling for. Even so, I'm in the "if it's not broken, don't fix it" camp, so I'm not so sure I'll go ahead with this update. As well as update issues I hear about, it's the unknown knock on effects I fear, like running time, wear on parts, impact to cleaning route, etc. (e.g. I have difficult to mount transitions, just next to corners, and don't want it reversing back over them). Some reading up on the German forum necessary before I decide.

[fufu]

Vorwerk also provides version 2.5 and 2.7 at their website. So you can downgrade at any time.

[Hotcut]

Wow, thats pretty cool!
I sure do hope they will push this out to us Neato owners!

[Boomerang]

Non-tech robot user....I too would like to see this upgrade....but then got to thinking WHAT IF with this upgrade the robot had Castor Wheels and went vacuum first against the baseboard and under cabinets moving left/ right along this baseboard? There would be no need for a side brush. Is this possible?

[glnc222]

The "castor" wheels would have to be powered drive wheels, bulky and complex. Also the diameter of the brush cylinder and front bumper place the acting center of the brush where it touches the floor and inch or so away from the wall. The geometry...

This software update publicly admits Neato navigation can be improved, so it would be peculiar not to release this software for XV models over the next few months, marketing wise. A possible issue is longer run time to clean the same area, with extra time backing up, and the Kobold having bigger batteries. Doesn't look enough to make more than a 10 per cent decrease in area covered at most to me, a few seconds at each corner, maybe a dozen in a convoluted room, and probably less.

Software releases get some notice in the specialized press covering these things, so there is some gain from release at the most opportune time for seasonal advertising. Neato doesn't advertise to speak of, with such small volume. Had a chance conversation with a customer in Radio Shack curious about robots for a large house, and had never heard of it, appreciated the news. The defunct listing in Hammacher was at least good advertising.

[eqwalker]

Good implementation of software. I, too, look forward to this coming to the Neato series.

[chris-s]

After asking Neato's support about firmware update compared to VR100, this is the answer :

Thank you for contacting Neato Robotics Customer Care.

We do not yet have word of when a new software version will be released,
nor what exactly it will include. We will definitely take note of your
suggestion to make improvements in regards to vacuuming corners, and
appreciate your feedback.

[glnc222]

The difficulties of producing and distributing software make pre-announcing releases unwise. The last XV-11 release 2.6 was early in December. Like an old advertising slogan for wine, they should "sell no software until its time". That Kobold has put previous versions online might presage that feature for the XV's. It could be just a matter of finally getting to the programming needed to support that.

[neato]

Neato is continuing firmware development for the XV family of robotic vacuums. Version 3.1 of the firmware is coming for new Neatos beginning mid-November. Soon after, the firmware updater for PC & Mac will be completed and the Version 3.1 firmware will be available to upgrade existing Neatos.

Some of the features in Version 3.1 are:

* Added Corner Clever feature
* Improvements in mapping and map location recovery

[Wing Nut]

Looking forward to it! Much appreciated.

[zardoz]

Thank you Neato for this statement.

[chris-s]

Thanks Neato for information.

I still do not understand why Kobold is the first (before Neatorobotics) to release a firmware that fix corner covering...

[JEfromCanada]

Thanks Neato for information.

I still do not understand why Kobold is the first (before Neatorobotics) to release a firmware that fix corner covering...

They probably have a smaller installed base to act as a control group for live-testing updated functions. And they may feel privileged to receive earlier updates based on having paid a premium for their units.

[eqwalker]

Thanks Neato for information.

I still do not understand why Kobold is the first (before Neatorobotics) to release a firmware that fix corner covering...

They probably have a smaller installed base to act as a control group for live-testing updated functions. And they may feel privileged to receive earlier updates based on having paid a premium for their units.

I would say the latter...

[glnc222]

One effect of Kobold in advance is XV customers get to see some experience with changes which could make some more comfortable with upgrading their firmware. There must be a lot more XV's to upgrade than VR's.