this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2023
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Robot vaccums: Manufacturers and models that protect users' privacy? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 year ago by rustydrd to c/[email protected]
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Cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/4295133

My partner and I are getting a cat and consider getting a robot vacuum cleaner for our apartment to help keep it clean. Up until now, I've been against getting one due to privacy concerns and negative reports about certain manufacturers (e.g., iRobot/Roomba). Now I'm reevaluating, because my partner is sensitive to dust, and regular vacuuming will be a must.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations about manufacturers or models with a light privacy footprint or good reputation on that front?

I am aware that most robots that actually work will also gather data, and newer models even incorporate photo/video to improve pattern recognition performance. Still, I would be more comfortable with one that does that within reason (e.g., collects as little data as possible, transfers as little as possible to remote servers, encrypts data for transfer and storage).

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I've got a D9 running with Valetudo! It's fantastic! Not only am I not worried about privacy concerns, but it works with my HA seamlessly. Check out their list of supported vacuums.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

I second Valetudo. I’m using it on a roborock S5 and installation was pretty straight forward. Even if it takes more effort to „root“ your vacuum it is definitely worth it. I also integrate my vacuum in HA over mqtt.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

It's absurd how much better it makes the vacuums to use. Interaction through the Web UI is just instant, instead of having to bounce to servers halfway around the world before acting on it. It's the primary decider of which vacuum I consider now.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thirding Valetudo, it's amazing. I even swapped out the default voice files with ones I wrote, then ran the new text through a GLaDOS voice generator.