Programming your robot vacuum

[keving...@gmail.com]

For anyone wanting to have fun with Robotics: I have Developed some
code in

C# to control your iRobot Roomba vacuum from your computer.

Don't forget to Download Visual Studio express!)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualcsharp/

The core of the code is a C# class that implements the iRobot Software
Command

Interface. (C# RoombaSCI) I also have 2 projects that use this C#
interface, called

Roomba-Term, and Roomba Monitor. Roomba Term is intended to be a
diagnostic program

that visually implements Roomba's SCI interface for purposes of
education, & testing

your roomba. Hopefully my code will kickstart you forward in
developing your own Roomba

programs.

Here is a link to irobot documentation
http://www.irobot.com/images/consumer/hacker/Roomba_SCI_Spec_Manual.pdf

I have a C# project located here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/roomba-term/

and a VB.Net project that focuses on Sensor stability (talks to the C#
class) here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/roomba-monitor/

Next, you probably need some hardware to connect your computer to the
Roomba:

you can either buy an RS232, USB or wireless interface:
http://www.roombadevtools.com/

or create your own cable:
http://flickr.com/photos/todbot/sets/72057594051313379/

or buy Roomba Add-ons:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=685

of special interest as well:
http://todbot.com/blog/category/roomba/

As far as practical use: I suggest using Roomba as a platform to build
a robotic arm or

something else upon, using: http://mindstorms.lego.com/

Kevin Gabbert