New Roomba - The Scooba

Scooba Hi Res
iRobot and Clorox team up to make the Scooba. Today, iRobot unveils its latest innovation-- the iRobot Scooba(TM), the world's first Robotic Floor Washer, at the D: All Things Digital Conference. Scooba, a next-generation robot, simultaneously vacuums, scrubs and dries hard floors-- all at the touch of a button. Best known for the Roomba Robotic Floorvac, iRobot has driven the commercial robot revolution. Originating as a small MIT spin-off, the company has grown to a $95 million a year business with products shipping in 25 countries. Press release and big photo -

Scooba Hi Res-1


iRobot Unveils World's First Robotic Floor Washer

Clorox Creates Custom Floor-Cleaning Solution for iRobot Scooba

CARLSBAD, Calif.-- D3: All Things Digital-- May 23, 2005-- Robot CEO Colin Angle will offer a "sneak preview" today of the company's latest innovation, the iRobot Scooba(TM) Robotic Floor Washer. The Scooba will be unveiled at The Wall Street Journal's "D: All Things Digital" conference in Carlsbad, Calif. Scooba, a next-generation robot, is designed to vacuum, scrub and dry hard floors automatically. The new robot builds on technology advances from the company's runaway hit, the iRobot Roomba® Robotic Floorvac.

In addition, iRobot today announces a partnership with The Clorox Company through which the two firms have developed a specially engineered cleaning solution for Scooba. Clorox, a leader in home cleaning, and iRobot, the leader in commercial robots, began the collaboration about a year ago to create a cleaning solution that, when combined with Scooba, delivers a new level of cleanliness to floors.

"iRobot Scooba underscores our commitment to building robots that perform everyday tasks more effectively," said iRobot Chief Executive Officer Colin Angle. "Scooba will liberate people from mops and buckets, and introduce a revolutionary way to clean floors."

Scooba's revolutionary cleaning process allows the robot to simultaneously vacuum, scrub and dry hard floors, all at the touch of a button. Unlike a conventional mop and bucket, the robot only uses fresh water and cleaning solution from a clean tank, so Scooba never spreads dirty water on the floor. Scooba cleans wet spills in addition to dirt and grime, and it is safe for use on all sealed hard floor surfaces, including wood and tile.

"Clorox is always looking for opportunities to partner with innovative companies that can help us grow and enter new categories," said Larry Popelka, vice president, New Business Ventures for Clorox. "Scooba supports our desire to make floor-cleaning easier and more effective. We are excited about partnering with iRobot to bring consumers this cutting-edge technology."

iRobot is credited with igniting a growing consumer robot industry in 2002 with its first affordable home robot, the Roomba Robotic Floorvac. Roomba quickly emerged as a favorite on wedding registry wish lists, and among parents, pet owners, cleaning enthusiasts and the cleaning challenged people who have difficulty cleaning because of physical disability, medical conditions or age. Roomba is now available in 25 countries, and has sold 1.2 million units.

A limited number of Scooba Robotic Floor Washers will be available in time for the 2005 holiday season, with larger distribution planned for the first quarter of 2006. The Clorox® cleaning solution will be marketed jointly by Clorox and iRobot.

Scooba Preview
A Scooba prototype will be demonstrated live on stage Monday, May 23, at 2:10 p.m. PT at "D: All Things Digital", The Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad, Calif. The Wall Street Journal-sponsored event offers insight into ways the technology revolution continues to transform how people work and live. The Scooba can also be seen in action at the iRobot Web site, starting at 2:10 p.m. PT.

About The Clorox Company
The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with fiscal year 2004 revenues of $4.2 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Armor All® and STP® auto care products, Fresh Step® and Scoop Away® cat litters, Kingsford® charcoal briquets, Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces, Brita® water-filtration systems, and Glad® bags, wraps and containers. With 8,600 employees worldwide, the company manufactures products in 25 countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $58.3 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges; and in fiscal 2004 alone made product donations valued at $5 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

About iRobot Corp.
iRobot, the leading commercial robot company, builds robots for the real world. Over the past 15 years, iRobot has developed innovative robots for the consumer, military, government security and law enforcement markets. Its practical, state-of-the-art iRobot Roomba Floorvac is revolutionizing home cleaning, while iRobot PackBot®, a portable, unmanned robot, is helping protect soldiers. In 2003, co-founders Helen Greiner and Colin Angle were named Ernst & Young regional Entrepreneurs of the Year for their innovative work in technology. For additional information about iRobot, visit www.irobot.com.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: lilorfnannie on May 24, 2005 at 9:00 AM

I am SO getting one of these.


Posted by: thylacine on June 8, 2005 at 3:14 PM

We have the roomba discovery. It is OK. The fact that it's dirt comapartment is reall the "inards" of the robot makes it hard to clean. We have had to have the charging unit replaced twice.


Posted by: zipwow on July 27, 2005 at 1:41 PM

We've had a Roomba for about a year or so now, it's pretty much an indispensable part of the house. It broke once because an air intake was clogged, and the quality of the apartment took a nosedive.

Incidentally, roomba tech support fixed it over the phone, no big deal.

The one thing I'm not clear on with the Scooba is whether it 'detects' the start/end of rugs. I have hardwood floors, but I have rugs on them as well. It would be keen if the Scooba knew where those were and mopped the 'edges' while just vacuuming the carpet itself.


Posted by: UnhappyCustomer on October 2, 2007 at 7:24 PM

Worked great, AT FIRST, then only works for 5 - 10 minutes before battery dies. Called for support, hung up after 24 minutes of HOLD, tried to request RMA on their web page, but the page conveniently times out before request can be submitted. DO NOT BUY ONE


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television




Check out more videos from MAKE.

MZ_Jameco-RobotBuild_RR.gif
MZ_DIYMovieMaking-RR.gif
Maker SHED

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter



    MAKE Archives

    Make: Money

    Make: Science Room
    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online editors and authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Editor-in-Chief


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | Web | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John BaichtalJohn Baichtal
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Pinhole Panoramic Camera A sturdy, panoramic design pinhole camera that uses 120 film. Thanks go to Ross Orr for the original article in MAKE Volume 09. To download The Pinhole Panoramic Camera video video click here and subscribe in iTunes. Check out... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    Sign up for the Make: Newsletter

    Our Make: Newsletter covers news from maker Media, has original columns, Shed deals, and more! You can also read the archives of past issues.


     



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog