iRobot Create 2

Was $199

Discontinued · used/leftover onlyPython from a laptopRoomba 600 hackSerial Open InterfaceCheapNo camera

Possibly ≤ 1 weekShipping: Used only.

Remote control: A laptop (or Pi riding on top) sends Open Interface serial commands through the USB cable using Python libraries like pycreate2.

LEARN MORE (Wikipedia) ↗

Overview

A repurposed Roomba with a documented serial protocol, and the base of countless university projects and home-built TurtleBot clones. It replaced the original 2007 Create and was succeeded by the ROS 2 Create 3. Needs a tether or an on-board SBC and has no camera, but used units are cheap.

Type: Wheeled robot · Laptop is the brain
Maker: iRobot (USA)
Released: 2014
Price: Was $199
Status: Discontinued · used/leftover only
Best for: Ages 14+
Programming: Full SDK

Price and shipping

Launch price 2014. Used units on eBay.

Shipping: Used only. Discontinued. Used units turn up on eBay, and plain Roomba 600-series vacuums speak the same Open Interface.

Specifications

Category	Wheeled rovers · Laptop is the brain
Released	2014
Country	USA
Availability	Discontinued · used/leftover only
Programmability	Full SDK
Built-in autonomy	Navigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock
LLM support	Possible via SDK · No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.
MuJoCo simulation	Community model · Only a third-party URDF from AutonomyLab's ROS driver exists. create_robot (create_description) ↗
NVIDIA Isaac simulation	Community model · Only a third-party URDF from AutonomyLab's ROS driver exists. create_robot (create_description) ↗
Gazebo simulation	Community model · AutonomyLab's third-party ROS driver includes Gazebo xacros for Create 2. create_robot (create_description) ↗
Best for	Ages 14+ (estimated)
Vision sensors	No vision sensors
Actuators	DC / gear motors
Audio	Speaker
Compute type	Proprietary / undisclosed, Laptop / PC as the brain
Remote control	Python from a laptop
Size	34 cm diameter, 9.2 cm tall, 3.6 kg (7.9 lb)
Drive	2-wheel differential (refurbished Roomba 600 series)
Compute	None for the user, controlled over a USB-to-serial cable
Vision	None
Lidar	None
Sensors	Bumpers, cliff and wall IR sensors, wheel drops, encoders, light bumper
Runtime	Not published by iRobot, battery charges in about 3 h
Speed	0.5 m/s max
SDK	iRobot Open Interface (documented serial protocol), community Python libraries such as `pycreate2`, ROS drivers

Common questions

How much does iRobot Create 2 cost?

It sold for $199. Launch price 2014. Used units on eBay.

Can iRobot Create 2 be bought today?

It is discontinued, though used or leftover units still turn up. Discontinued. Used units turn up on eBay, and plain Roomba 600-series vacuums speak the same Open Interface.