I am an iRobot fan.  I have about run the wheels off “Rumba” as she is affectionately called at our house.  When we got her, robot vacuums were pretty straight forward…no app that needed downloading, or if there was one, we didn’t use it and she worked just fine.  We always worked together.  I’d turn her on and then run ahead putting chairs on the table, moving things off the floor, and setting the laser beam to keep her out of areas I didn’t want vacuumed that day.  When she finished, I religiously emptied her bin and helped her get docked so she could recharge. 

Docking was getting more difficult.  Her charging plates weren’t lining up like they were supposed to, and I would often find her with no energy when it was time to clean.  She reminded me of myself.  So, when my birthday and Amazon Prime Day rolled around together, I strongly hinted to Brent that Rumba needed some help.  We now have “Hazel,” a generation younger than Rumba, therefore her daughter.

Hazel has more bells and whistles.  I spent the first day downloading the app, scanning the QR code and turning her loose to map the house.  It took her a couple hours.  She’s a nosy little thing and wanted into every nook and cranny.  

 After Hazel mapped the house, I had to work out her schedule.  I went to the app, identified the rooms on the map and set up a timetable so every area on the main floor (she doesn’t do stairs) gets vacuumed every other day.  So far, she has been on time and hasn’t docked till the job is done.  There are still details I need to work out like identifying “no work zones” and emptying the bin. 

Let me tell you what I have learned about dumping the bin.  Brent was on the phone when Hazel docked and was sitting next to her.   I went to the app to see what my responsibilities were once she had finished.  Remember, this generation is all new to me and I didn’t have a clue how to clean her bin.  Well, right there on the app was a bar which said, “Empty bin.”  I tapped it.  There was a ROAR. It sounded like the test missiles out at Thiokol back in the day. Something was taking off!  Brent who was right there about took off himself.  It certainly surprised him and whoever he was talking to on the phone.  Luckily, dumping only takes a few seconds and then the roar geared down to silence, and we were normal again.

So, there’s a new kid in the house.  She is full of surprises and it’s going to take a little time to get used to her.  I’m moving Rumba downstairs, but I’ll see her every few days when we work together.  Life is Good when Rumba and Hazel have you covered upstairs
and down.  

Side note: Hazel just started cleaning and it is not scheduled.  She is a little too passionate about her job and has more energy than she needs.  Sounds like the
Grandkids!