Hands-on with iRobot's new ConnectR and Looj bots

There's not much to see and feel with these two -- iRobots are all about the action -- but we got a quick look at the new ConnectR and Looj today. The Looj seems well enough suited to its purpose, with solid construction and a powerful thwap. We saw it running through a gutter earlier, and it certainly seems like it can clean as advertised. The ConnectR seems less well polished, but that's to be expected, since iRobot seems to be pretty flexible on what the finished product will be like when it ships in 2008, with changes based on customer feedback from trial sales. One feature in the works is an IR emitter, for controlling home automation and AV products, and hopefully iRobot can clean this one up and add another "killer" feature or two before unleashing it on the public.

Gallery: Hands-on with iRobot's new ConnectR and Looj bots

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[Dan @ Sep 27th 2007 7:38PM]

Yes, we got the Looj's purpose. What about the other one?

[Sean @ Sep 27th 2007 8:30PM]

i love robots with some killer features.

[bjrcboy @ Sep 27th 2007 9:16PM]

that bot wont work in my gutter I have hangers that are placed about every 5 feet to keep the side of the gutter from hanging when things are inside of it. Come to think of it almost all gutters have those now a days.. hmm great idea iRobot!

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Sep 27th 2007 10:55PM]

Actually, the concept drawings make it look like the Looj will easily fit through that space - it just isn't that large of a device. I'm kind of geeked about the little guy.

[Typhoid Mary @ Sep 29th 2007 10:54AM]

Is this Looj going to go UNDER my gutter screens or do I have to remove them all first? If it fits under I'll buy one.

[GJP303 @ Sep 27th 2007 9:30PM]

Uh, just so we all get it over with...

I for one welcome our robotic overlords.

[Dylan @ Sep 27th 2007 11:34PM]

Um, does that look like a toilet seat to anyone.

[popot99 @ Sep 28th 2007 12:20AM]

ya snooze ya Looj...

[Brad @ Sep 28th 2007 9:31AM]

I have moles in my yard. I bet if dropped a Looj into the tunnels it would take care of the problem!

;-)

[RedBull Runner @ Sep 28th 2007 11:01AM]

Does anyone else see what the ConnectR could be used for in the porn industry? Just turn that camera straight up and let it run around crowded places.

Hmm... I think ill go register robotupskirts.com right now

[squished18 @ Sep 28th 2007 11:43AM]

"Honey, would you please check things downstairs? I think I heard a noise."

"Sure Sweetie, just a second while I boot up my notebook."

[JC @ Sep 28th 2007 3:21PM]

Enjoy your success while you can, iRobot. Stevie Jobs will come along any minute now and iSue you.

[Anthony Huff @ Sep 28th 2007 6:33PM]

Engadget really seems passionate about robots. nothing wrong with that, so long they have IR receivers and clean floors.

[Matt H. @ Sep 29th 2007 2:49PM]

Hmmm, high tech solution to a low-tech problem...
K.I.S.S.

This is silly when you can just get one of many products that prevent crap from getting in your rain gutter in the first place... example http://www.dciproducts.com/html/flofree.htm?gclid=CNzC-I6p6Y4CFSAHQQodJ2pRMQ
or http://www.waterloov.com/

I like the new floor cleaning model though. Very cool and useful.



Best of all... no moving parts to wear out.