If the area rug is so thick (tall) that the Rhoomba considers it an obstacle, it will simply work its way around the perimeter of the rug, vacuuming away. Otherwise it will climb up onto it and vacuum. Our rugs are probably around 3/4" thick including the foam pad, and the Rhoomba climbs onto them fine. OTOH the transition from our dining room hardwood to the kitchen slate is about 1" and very abrupt (45 degree, almost a tripping hazard), and the Rhoomba won't go over it, so I might install a more ramped transition. It handles tile like any other surface.

The earliest Rhoombas had various problems, I'm told. They've gotten a lot better. Our house really has to be a terrible place for a Rhoomba - dining table has 10 legs, chairs and sideboard have 46 legs, living room is crammed with couch, chairs, game table, more chairs, piano, stacked books, junk, and so on. Yet it seems to cope.

The only thing it has so far really been troubled by is the dining room register that has long slats. Like a bicycle crossing a storm drain grate the wrong way, the Rhoomba gets stuck there about every fourth time. I may set one of the infrared "fences" to keep it away from that place.

I heard that the Rhoomba may have trouble with cliffs (stairs, etc), as in it won't fall off, but may stop at the precipice and not resume vacuuming. I haven't tested this. You could set up another infrared fence at the stairs. The model 550 comes with two infrared fences.

John, if you're now an enthusiastic owner, you should at least get the spelling right :p

Jeez, why did I mhiss that.

We have an area rug with a geometric pattern. Our Roomba won't go onto the black blocks of the pattern. I assume it thinks it's the edge off a cliff of some sort.

Didn't Linda Rhonstadt sing a song about the Rhoomba? Rhomba? Romba?:)

I've read that very dark surfaces trigger its cliff sensor. There is a mod to trick the cliff sensor, but then the Rhoomba will commit suicide off the stairs.

man..i'm old school. i use a broom, and occasionally a damp mop.

i am not so sure my terrier would let a robot vac live.

My cats get all dramatic every time the thing gets near. Like its the first time they've seen it. I know one of the cats is a dummy... not sure about the other. The newer ones are supposed to do a better job of not getting caught on cords, too. I'm liking the 550 quite a bit. I can't imagine how nice the $700 one is. They were going to make one with a cam you could steer remotely via Wifi, but that project never got off the ground.

Now, has anyone tried the robotic lawn mowers, floor moppers, etc?

This is the commercial side. They also make military robots

I think an optional remote for the 550 allows you to manually drive the R(h)oomba. With a up-firing video cam, at cocktail parties. You know.

Did you see that cool gutter cleaning robot?

yep, they have a fit with my black rugs.....

Thanks for the comment, John. We might consider getting one based on what you said about them.

After reading these topics I'm totally stuck thinking of Roomba as of a present for my mom. Maybe it's better to take something else.

OK Sid, I want to know if you feel this statement to still be true? SmileWavy

I can't say I've ever thought it a good idea to give any woman household cleaning devices as a present. For what that's worth...

My wife bought one of these things some years back. Given that our downstairs main living area is the only place it got used and has around 20 chairs, three couches, two tables and assorted other furniture, I didn't figure it was a good thing to have. Now that I make the decisions on how the floor gets cleaned, we no longer use it. I should find this thing a new home...

Every time I hear of someone buying a roomba I think of this:

https://www.someecards.com/news/so-that-happened/roomba-runs-over-dog-poop/

:D:D My previous message hasn't been posted. Thanks for the link. I was laughing, then crying and laughing again :D

So, if it is not roomba to be bought... What can you advise for the hardwood floors if choosing among these models? Thanks for your answers :)

If you are looking for a something a bit different to the Roomba robot for hardwood floors they are now plenty of other alternatives out there:):)