this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2023
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Home Automation

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Discussion about general home automation ideas and projects, home automation protocols like Z-wave, Zigbee, Matter, etc, and home automation software and hubs like HomeSeer, Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Homey.

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Robot vaccums: Manufacturers and models that protect users' privacy? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by rustydrd@sh.itjust.works to c/homeautomation@lemmy.world
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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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[–] indomara@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

We have a Samsung Powerbot (The VR9300, an upgrade from the 7xxx we had for four years before it.) for a few reasons. It was the only one with a proper vacuum roller brush and motor, and whilst it has a camera on it, it is not internet connected. It uses the camera to map the ceiling and vacuums back and forth like a person instead of bouncing around in a random pattern.

I am very interested in the newer Samsung vacuums, which have a charging base that also empties the dust bin on it. These newer ones have of course lots of internet connected features like the ability to tell the vacuum not to do a room, but I contacted support who said they will work just fine without being connected.

We love our Powerbot, he has googly eyes and we named it Troll.