Balance Board Roomba hack floors us
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Aug 25th 2008 at 1:45PM }
We had two questions upon watching this footage of a Roomba being controlled by a Balance Board:
- What the heck is a Roomba?
- Why?
We especially like how "Surfin' USA" is played in the background while Ron wobbles away, just to make it really feel like actual surfing.
[Via Balance Board Blog]
Join us in exploring things to do with the Balance Board that aren't Wii Fit. Walk the world! Drive a car! Weigh a cat!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rocketman @ Aug 25th 2008 11:07PM
How are you on the internet and have never heard of a Roomba? They've been around for years.
Feba @ Aug 26th 2008 6:25AM
I think it's more of a U.S. thing, to be honest. While they are marketed in the UK, it sounds as though they're not as renowned there. They look pretty groovy, though!
SegaPleaseMakePanzerDragoonWii! @ Aug 25th 2008 2:05PM
"I clearned all the room."
hahahahahaha!
In all seriousness, useless but very cool.
Adam R @ Aug 25th 2008 2:10PM
... wow. Did he just create more work for himself? Doesn't the Roomba vacuum the floor without interaction? He could have gone surfing while it vacuumed.
Nice hack no matter how counter-productive it seems. :D
Patrick @ Aug 25th 2008 2:28PM
Decent hack, yet like stated above, pretty useless. And to Chris, how can you never heard of a Roomba?!
thesimplicity @ Aug 25th 2008 2:58PM
I'm really surprised that you've never heard of the Roomba before. I figured it was part of our cultural lexicon by now. It was so popular with hobbyists that iRobot even offered a version without the vacuum part just for hacking.
Chris Greenhough @ Aug 25th 2008 3:06PM
I think it's more of a U.S. thing, to be honest. While they are marketed in the UK, it sounds as though they're not as renowned here. They look pretty groovy, though!
Michael @ Aug 25th 2008 3:38PM
I like it that he mounted a camera on the roomba. However, I'd like to see this type of control on a lawn-mowing roomba. http://smartlifeblog.com/lawn-mowing-robots-like-the-roomba
That would save me a lot of trouble out in the yard!
Michael
Waffala @ Aug 25th 2008 3:37PM
Was he eating cheetos with chopsticks? Interesting hack, it could be useful for something maybe. Do they make bluetooth RC cars?
d77 @ Aug 25th 2008 4:10PM
wow, never heard of roomba? lolcatz!
Chris Greenhough @ Aug 25th 2008 5:38PM
I think it's more of a U.S. thing, to be honest. While they are marketed in the UK, it sounds as though they're not as renowned here. They look pretty groovy, though!
Matisyahu Serious @ Aug 25th 2008 5:25PM
as interesting as this is, i'm holding off until it's Woomba compatible:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2347405562441982404
KaBob799 @ Aug 25th 2008 7:27PM
You know.. eating cheetos with chopsticks makes sense if you dont like getting cheese everywhere. I think that's actually more interesting than the "surfing" =p
Matisyahu Serious @ Aug 25th 2008 7:50PM
from what i have heard, I think it's more of a U.S. thing, to be honest. While they are marketed in the UK, it sounds as though they're not as renowned here. They look pretty groovy, though!
red13 @ Aug 25th 2008 9:11PM
that...was....badass!
Boo!? @ Aug 26th 2008 12:16AM
I can't wait big waves!
zchry @ Aug 26th 2008 9:27PM
Hey, did you know that there are people out there that dress up their Roombas? In special-made clothing?
Yeah. Freaky, huh?
I want one, but my dog would sit on it or attack it or something. And I'm pretty sure she'd break it. She's a big dog.
Aaron @ Oct 4th 2008 3:24PM
awesome hack
i wish they made a roomba that cleaned an entire house in less then 10 seconds