Roomba avoids black color pattern on rugs

I have two Roomba Discoveries and niether one of them would roll over BLACK color lines in any of my area rugs. They would stop at the edge of the BLACK and change direction as if they detected a step or ledge. I contacted Irobot customer support. They couldnt help so I experimented and found a solution.

Step 1 Locate Roombas step sensors

Note: this fix is meant to be used only when you run the roomba in an area where it will NOT approach ledges or steps since the roomba will run right off the step and fall. So just line up a pair of shoes end to end across the top of the step or ledge so the Roomba will bump the shoes and change directions.

To fool Roombas ledge / step sensors so it will run over Black colors in rugs etc. we need to locate the sensors affected in this tip So first, turn your roomba discovery over ( I have the "Discovery" model, this may work on other models, just try and see) and locate the four sensors along the bottom edge of the front bumper. if you look down inside the openings you see along the bottom edge, the sensors look like little L.E.D. lights poking out a little bit.

Comments

[egalpern]

it did not work for me with a dark masking tape. off to the store for a lighter color.

[digitallyinsane]

You could have switched out the carpet... The newer Roomba's don't seem to have that odd cliff issue. My 560 crosses the black in my northern Aghanistan rug without hesitation, and also doesn't fall down the stairs. Now if only I could redesign the robot to vacuum the stairs...

[doityurownself]

LOL, yea could do that if I wanted to spend a ton of money on new rugs. This work-around costs less than pennies and only takes about a minute to do and then under afterwards. Fortunately for me, I have two roombas so this quick fix "stays" on the one I dont run around stairs etc. I too would like to have a roomba that will vacuum the stairs :-)

Thanks for the comment, Best Wishes!!
Kevin