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Comment by wisdomseaker | original | Oomwoo, an open-source robot vacuum you build yourself
[−]wisdomseaker · 2026-07-02 Thu 05:53 UTC · link
Are robot vacuums always circular, wouldn't a single 90 degree or similar section be useful for accessing corners
[−]stevewodil · 2026-07-02 Thu 05:58 UTC · link
Mostly circular, some have slightly asymmetric shapes like Eufy e28. The mid range and higher typically have an extending arm that handles edges or corners
[−]Bairfhionn · 2026-07-02 Thu 06:11 UTC · link
The brushes usually don't go all the way to the sides of the vacuum, that's why many of them have an additional circular brush on the side to get into the corners and scoop the dirt to the big brushes in the middle.

No need for edges, also makes navigating through narrow things easier.

[−]throwaway219450 · 2026-07-02 Thu 06:39 UTC · link
Being circular allows for zero clearance turns.

If you imagine a square robot traversing a wall and approaching a 90 degree inside corner, it can’t make the turn and would also be unable to make a perpendicular move to get more space.

That said Eufy, Makita and others make square-ish robots.