This Instructable will focus on how to give a dead Roomba a new brain (Raspberry Pi), eyes (Webcam), and a way to control everything from a web browser.
There are a lot of Roomba hacks that allow control via the serial interface. I have not been fortunate enough to come across a Roomba that has current firmware or working motherboard. Either the Roomba is too old or the Roomba is dead. I found the Roomba I used for this project in a local thrift store bargain bin for $5. It still had a decent battery, but a dead motherboard. (I also found the webcam at the same thrift store for around $5). All I’m using from the original Roomba are the motors, chassis, and battery. You do not have to use a Roomba for this project. You could use different motors, wheels, and chassis if you like. I just fancy turning a piece of junk into something usable.
Each Friday is PiDay here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Raspberry Pi related products. Adafruit has the largest and best selection of Raspberry Pi accessories and all the code & tutorials to get you up and running in no time!
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.