Roomba 560 and 530 Released Today! 570 coming soon.

[eqwalker]

No, it has the swivel front wheel.

[jcrowusa]

Here is my question, will it work in tandem with the scheduler I have now? In other words will they both work as a team to clean? I thought I heard something where it would wake up my existing scheduler and both the new 500 series and the scheduler will both clean together.

If so I will order one up now, otherwise I might wait a bit....

-Jerry

[Gondi]

Looks like a completely new home base too

[robotreviews]

Here is my question, will it work in tandem with the scheduler I have now? In other words will they both work as a team to clean? I thought I heard something where it would wake up my existing scheduler and both the new 500 series and the scheduler will both clean together.

If so I will order one up now, otherwise I might wait a bit....

-Jerry

Clever idea, but unfortunately, no it won't.

On the plus side, with the new model being so much more efficient than the Scheduler, there really wouldn't be any benefit to running an older model in the same room at the same time as the 500 series.

The 500 series is a complete and total redesign. None of the parts and accessories from the previous generation are compatible with it, with the exception of the virtual walls, which all still appear to be cross compatible, and the AC charger - which appears to output the exact same power as the previous models, an is plug compatible.

(Also, you can actually pick up the Roomba 560 and place it on an old homebase, and it will charge, but it will not attempt to dock with it on it's own.)

I have only had a couple of days with the new unit so far, but my initial reaction to it is the same as when I got my first Roomba Discovery and compared it to my older Pro Elite. Yes, my old scheduler still works perfectly well, but when compared side by side with the Roomba 560, the difference is night and day.

[kaidomac]

Here is my question, will it work in tandem with the scheduler I have now? In other words will they both work as a team to clean? I thought I heard something where it would wake up my existing scheduler and both the new 500 series and the scheduler will both clean together.

If so I will order one up now, otherwise I might wait a bit....

-Jerry

Clever idea, but unfortunately, no it won't.

On the plus side, with the new model being so much more efficient than the Scheduler, there really wouldn't be any benefit to running an older model in the same room at the same time as the 500 series.

The 500 series is a complete and total redesign. None of the parts and accessories from the previous generation are compatible with it, with the exception of the virtual walls, which all still appear to be cross compatible, and the AC charger - which appears to output the exact same power as the previous models, an is plug compatible.

(Also, you can actually pick up the Roomba 560 and place it on an old homebase, and it will charge, but it will not attempt to dock with it on it's own.)

I have only had a couple of days with the new unit so far, but my initial reaction to it is the same as when I got my first Roomba Discovery and compared it to my older Pro Elite. Yes, my old scheduler still works perfectly well, but when compared side by side with the Roomba 560, the difference is night and day.

Well I'm jealous you have your hands on one already Is the new 500 series quieter than older models?

It seems like they've done a number of things to both improve the user interface (voice commands, new buttons) as well as make it more friendly to home users (moduler, sealed design and whatnot). I've given Roombas to various family members, and while they are pretty easy to use, based on their feedback this new design seems like it would be even more user friendly than the previous models. People want something they can set-and-forget, and with the new sealed design, lighthouse technology, etc., I think iRobot may have finally nailed it. I really like the new designs a lot as well.

[jcrowusa]

Here is my question, will it work in tandem with the scheduler I have now? In other words will they both work as a team to clean? I thought I heard something where it would wake up my existing scheduler and both the new 500 series and the scheduler will both clean together.

If so I will order one up now, otherwise I might wait a bit....

-Jerry

Clever idea, but unfortunately, no it won't.

On the plus side, with the new model being so much more efficient than the Scheduler, there really wouldn't be any benefit to running an older model in the same room at the same time as the 500 series.

The 500 series is a complete and total redesign. None of the parts and accessories from the previous generation are compatible with it, with the exception of the virtual walls, which all still appear to be cross compatible, and the AC charger - which appears to output the exact same power as the previous models, an is plug compatible.

(Also, you can actually pick up the Roomba 560 and place it on an old homebase, and it will charge, but it will not attempt to dock with it on it's own.)

I have only had a couple of days with the new unit so far, but my initial reaction to it is the same as when I got my first Roomba Discovery and compared it to my older Pro Elite. Yes, my old scheduler still works perfectly well, but when compared side by side with the Roomba 560, the difference is night and day.

Thanks for the reply I was wondering about the virtual walls. Yeah I understand what you are saying about the 500 but figured 2 is better than 1. I really want one now but think I'll hold off a bit. I just last week got a replacement under warranty and have a hard time replacing a brand new one...

Maybe they'll have an upgrade program at some point.

[kaidomac]

Oh yeah, do these still have the programming port? I've been working on integrating my Roombas into my home automation system, it'd be a shame to see the IR/Serial Port stuff completely disappear...

[GibberishDriftwood]

Small review on CNET, with Video with sound of the Roomba:

http://news.com.com/Sucking+it+up+with+ ... 03728.html

[ProTech Robotics]

Nice advanced pics Craig!!

I think these are all GREAT improvements for the consumer! I am anxious to test drive the lighthouse virtual walls and I am on the list for September Delivery of the 570 already but considering the 560 and 530 that are available for immediate shipping right now... remember I started RoombaExchange.com as a consumer so I am thrilled to see the modular design and ease of accessing the interior for replacing components. I have tried to find a list of available parts on iRobot but have not seen them yet, has anyone seen them.

[robotreviews]

Well I'm jealous you have your hands on one already Is the new 500 series quieter than older models?

MUCH quieter. Sealing the parts inside has substantially reduced the volume of the motor.

It seems like they've done a number of things to both improve the user interface (voice commands, new buttons) as well as make it more friendly to home users (moduler, sealed design and whatnot). I've given Roombas to various family members, and while they are pretty easy to use, based on their feedback this new design seems like it would be even more user friendly than the previous models. People want something they can set-and-forget, and with the new sealed design, lighthouse technology, etc., I think iRobot may have finally nailed it. I really like the new designs a lot as well.

That really seems to be the focus of the new models - simplicity, and drastically reduced maintenance requirements. I think that this is the model that my father will actually use, instead of throwing it in the closet like the other ones that I have given him.

[scooterboy]

None of the parts and accessories from the previous generation are compatible with it, with the exception of the virtual walls, which all still appear to be cross compatible,

Good to hear that my 4 scheduler virtual walls will still work, but it appears that the 530 doesn't have scheduling abilities at all? So in order to have it start up by itself everyday, I have to buy the 560? That's unfortunate.

Oh, and do the modular parts mean that the "brains" of the unit will no longer be in the travel path of all the dust and dirt?

[robotreviews]

None of the parts and accessories from the previous generation are compatible with it, with the exception of the virtual walls, which all still appear to be cross compatible,

Good to hear that my 4 scheduler virtual walls will still work, but it appears that the 530 doesn't have scheduling abilities at all? So in order to have it start up by itself everyday, I have to buy the 560? That's unfortunate.

It's very unfortunate. I'm not sure why iRobot chose to close the upgrade path for scheduling on all lower end models, and so far it is my biggest gripe with the new models. I will try to find out from iRobot why they chose to do this.

Oh, and do the modular parts mean that the "brains" of the unit will no longer be in the travel path of all the dust and dirt?

Absolutely. All of the sensors and those gaping wide openings have been closed off, especially the huge gap also known as the "other dustbin" above the brush assembly.

Of course, I will be running it through a bunch of torture tests to see how it holds up, so I'll let you know if I find any areas where dirt and hair still can manage to sneak inside.

[scooterboy]

Good to hear that my 4 scheduler virtual walls will still work, but it appears that the 530 doesn't have scheduling abilities at all? So in order to have it start up by itself everyday, I have to buy the 560? That's unfortunate.

It's very unfortunate. I'm not sure why iRobot chose to close the upgrade path for scheduling on all lower end models, and so far it is my biggest gripe with the new models. I will try to find out from iRobot why they chose to do this.

Well, I just ordered the 560. The brush lift motor on my Sage crapped out a few days ago, so the appearance of these new models seems to be fate. Or so I'll tell my wife.

[shepherdess]

Any coupon codes for this model?

[scooterboy]

Any coupon codes for this model?

I used MSPORT for 20% off.

[GadgetHome]

I pre-ordered the 570. I was able to use the discount code msport. I got a 20% savings and free shipping.

Thanks for the discount code. I just ordered a couple of 570s using the msport code and got the discount & free shipping.

All my Discovery units are 6 to 8 months old, and they're beginning to fail. They're still under warranty, and iRobot has been very good--make that, excellent--about warranty exchanges. But I fear that the Moe, Curly, Larry, Shemp, Joe, Curly Joe, and Mr. Greenjeans may not be long for this world. They all run daily, and perhaps I've overworked the little guys. Sigh.

Nonetheless, I have great faith in iRobot, and the new design addresses the biggest issues I've encountered with my little guys. Here are the new features that caused me to order now (in order of importance):

* Improved home base, which appears to have flat drive-on platform. (My Discoveries sometimes have difficulty traveling the up-ramp on their home bases.)
* Soft-touch bumpers. (Some of my baseboards show signs of Roomba wear. Dang, nobody told me to expect that.)
* Anti-tangle technology. (Even though I Roomba-ized my home, my Discoveries still get stuck occasionally.)
* Modular design that promises to keep dirt in the dirt bin. (Which means, less time for me cleaning the robot!)
* Larger dirt bin & filter. (If I can go one more day before emptying, that's a win!)
* Increased suction/cleaning power. (Although I've been mostly satisfied with the cleaning, trading off some run time for more power makes sense to me.)
* User-replaceable components. (It has always seemed silly to me that a defective motor, belt, etc., should render the entire robot exhausted. That is, except for the valiant efforts of some of the members here who provide great help in fixing or replacing otherwise non-replaceable parts on Discoveries. It just shouldn't be that difficult.)
* Voice error prompts. (I can never remember the beep codes, and when one of my little guys has a problem, going to my computer to look up a beep code is NOT the first thing I want to do.
* Lighthouse technology. (Sounds promising, I'm intrigued, but I'm skeptical. We'll see.)

--Dennis

[sircastor]

I know it's a little early, but I'm hoping that the new body design means a newer create in the works as well. I'm certain there is one, it's just a matter of when it'll show up.

[AJerman]

The particle bin is 33% bigger but I do agree with your requests: Better navigation and a particle collector (similar to the Karcher RC3000).

Is it really? If anything, it looks smaller than the old ones. Either way though, I'm not a daily Roomba vacuumer (I still have too many wires hanging around from moving in at the beginning of July, I need to take care of that), so I find that on a decent sized room, I have to empty the bin a couple times during the cleaning cycle to ensure it is still actually sucking the dirt up. Carpet fuzz fills up the bin way too fast.

But thinking about it... I think I'll actually go run mine right now in my bedroom haha.

Oh, one more thought, have they done any improvement on the cliff sensors? I have two issues with them on my current gen Roomba, first, it seems to get dangerously close, if not going over the edge of stairs that are carpeted. Also, as we all know, it all too frequently "sees" something it thinks is a cliff when in reality it's just a dark spot (or in my case the darker lines in the linoleum in the kitchen). Luckily in my apartment I don't have stairs, so I just taped off the cliff sensors, but I'm interested to see if there are any improvements on the new models.

Oh, and by the way, Engadget has a video of the 560 vs the Discovery. It actually looks like the 560 is even worse than the Discovery at avoiding tangles, so much for that "feature". Take a look here: http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/22/hd-v ... discovery/

[THX-1138]

Very valid points with the new Roomba and the new upcoming Create!

[kaidomac]

Well I'm jealous you have your hands on one already Is the new 500 series quieter than older models?

MUCH quieter. Sealing the parts inside has substantially reduced the volume of the motor.

It seems like they've done a number of things to both improve the user interface (voice commands, new buttons) as well as make it more friendly to home users (moduler, sealed design and whatnot). I've given Roombas to various family members, and while they are pretty easy to use, based on their feedback this new design seems like it would be even more user friendly than the previous models. People want something they can set-and-forget, and with the new sealed design, lighthouse technology, etc., I think iRobot may have finally nailed it. I really like the new designs a lot as well.

That really seems to be the focus of the new models - simplicity, and drastically reduced maintenance requirements. I think that this is the model that my father will actually use, instead of throwing it in the closet like the other ones that I have given him.

That sounds really great! Be sure to log the battery life in your torture tests, I'm curious to see if it can really do 3 rooms...my Sages can handle about 1.5 rooms before crapping out (on average 15' x 15'). I think anything a company can do to reduce the user having to read a manual is an improvement for them, as well as having reminder prompts like the 500 series' voice system. For example, once I got our Tivo set up my wife didn't even need me to show her how to use it, let alone consult a manual - she had it figured out in just a few minutes. I think the voice prompts will be a really great addition as well - I think I'm the only one in my family who cleans the Roomba on a regular basis (heck, at all), so having a friendly human voice tel users when to clean should prove to be a nice feature.