They mentioned Chinese competitors. Are Roomba's manufactured in the US? What competitors are they talking about?

> Will the current robots continue to work after the shutdown or will you just have an expensive brick?

> If the robots they have depend on active internet servers then they are on a "No Purchase" list right now.

From a quick search, not exactly:

> No, a Roomba does not need Wi-Fi to function; you can operate it with basic cleaning functions like "Clean" and "Dock" without connecting it to your network, but connecting to Wi-Fi allows you to access advanced features like scheduling cleaning times, adjusting suction power, and monitoring cleaning patterns through the iRobot HOME app.

> Key points about Roomba and Wi-Fi:

>

> Basic cleaning without Wi-Fi: You can still use a Roomba to clean your floor by simply pressing the "Clean" button on the robot itself, even if it's not connected to Wi-Fi.

> Benefits of Wi-Fi connection: Connecting to Wi-Fi enables features like scheduling cleaning times, adjusting suction power, checking cleaning maps, and more through the iRobot HOME app.

> Not all Roombas are Wi-Fi enabled: Older Roomba models might not have Wi-Fi capabilities.

Based on this, for me the Roomba just went on the "do not purchase" list, because things like scheduled cleaning are important.

People buying any device that requires an internet service to operate should not do so unless the company commits to releasing the full server side source code (and authentication certs if applicable) such that a user community can maintain it. At minimum the client side needs to be easily user modifiable.

Most of the current Robots do support a local connection so they would continue to operate without an active server as long as they've been setup already, but I think if you got a new one or had to reconnect it you might run into issues.

I've bought a few robot vacuums over the years but my latest one was one compatible with [1]valetudo [valetudo.cloud] which is a server you can run locally.

[1] https://valetudo.cloud/

See these project and more to keep using it:

- https://pypi.org/project/pyroombaadapter/

- https://github.com/koalazak/rest980

- https://github.com/koalazak/dorita980

> young woman in front of said wall with a dust mop cleaning the floor

I love the irony, but it's probably a "keep-em-busy" activity for employees rather than something of any practical value for the store, regardless, you don't want a shopper stepping on or tripping over a Roomba. Broken ankles and smashed hips are kind of bad for business.

The [1]picture in question [reddit.com]. The really funny thing is that there is a Roomba siting on a chair in front of her.

[1] https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fan-employee-cleaning-the-floor-of-a-roomba-store-v0-upmwmeko8l1b1.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3Da1a73d4866f131656cec9e86e5e6d3ecba8b48fd

If the Chinese vendors requires internet connection then they'll have the ability to map your apartment/store/agency using that device.

So if you care about a third party getting knowledge about how your premises are set up you should probably be a bit concerned - and don't rule out that the device also have microphones to listen in on conversations.

Their job is to make money to hopefully prevent their demise, not cushion the blow to the customers if they do go out of business.

Releasing new products is a way to hopefully make that money.

Different departments?