iRobot Create 2

iRobot (USA) · 2014

Was $199Launch price 2014. Used units on eBay.
Discontinued · used/leftover onlyPython from a laptopRoomba 600 hackSerial Open InterfaceCheapNo camera
Possibly ≤ 1 weekShipping: Used only. Discontinued. Used units turn up on eBay, and plain Roomba 600-series vacuums speak the same Open Interface.
Remote control: A laptop (or Pi riding on top) sends Open Interface serial commands through the USB cable using Python libraries like pycreate2.

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.

Specifications

CategoryWheeled rovers · Laptop is the brain
Released2014
AvailabilityDiscontinued · used/leftover only
ProgrammabilityFull SDK
Best forAges 14+ (estimated)
Vision sensorsNo vision sensors
ActuatorsDC / gear motors
AudioSpeaker
Compute typeProprietary / undisclosed, Laptop / PC as the brain
Remote controlPython from a laptop
Size34 cm diameter, 9.2 cm tall, 3.6 kg (7.9 lb)
Drive2-wheel differential (refurbished Roomba 600 series)
ComputeNone for the user, controlled over a USB-to-serial cable
VisionNone
LidarNone
SensorsBumpers, cliff and wall IR sensors, wheel drops, encoders, light bumper
RuntimeNot published by iRobot, battery charges in about 3 h
Speed0.5 m/s max
SDKiRobot Open Interface (documented serial protocol), community Python libraries such as pycreate2, ROS drivers

Ratings & reviews

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Image credits