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For hands-on projects built around a Roomba-derived robot, iRobot Create 2 is the purpose-built starting point documented here: it supports programmed movement, sounds, LEDs, sensor readings and added electronics. If you want an educational platform with official ROS 2 learning materials, consider Create 3 instead. Neither platform should be confused with an ordinary consumer Roomba, which is not established here as having the same development interface.
Choose a robot base for your project
| Platform | Documented project scope | Programming path | Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| iRobot Create 2 | Movement, sounds, LED display, onboard sensor readings, camera-bot builds and replacement cargo-bin projects; the 2014 launch announcement also featured DJ Create 2 and LightBot. | Serial commands through Open Interface Commands; legacy Scratch extension instructions; a community ROS driver for Create 1 and 2. | Computer or microcontroller, sensors and actuators can be added. Printable part files are documented in the launch announcement. |
| iRobot Create 3 | Official examples range from basic sound and movement to multi-robot exploration, navigation, mapping and telepresence. | ROS 2 API and official documentation. | Official mechanical documentation includes printable parts and mounting solutions. |
This is a documentation-based comparison, not a controlled performance or price test. Current retail availability and total build cost are not established by the cited materials. iRobot describes Create 2 as a remanufactured Roomba 600 Series-based platform and says it is compatible with 600 Series accessories including batteries, Home Base, remote control and Virtual Wall; its regional product page says it is available at select retailers, so check current listings before planning a build. iRobot Create 2 product page
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What can you build with Create 2?
Program movement, lights and sound
Create 2’s serial cable lets a computer or microcontroller send commands. Its preprogrammed behaviors can be controlled through Open Interface Commands, and the platform’s onboard sensors can be read by a project. That makes it suitable for a robot that follows a planned route, responds to sensor input, displays status through LEDs or plays sounds. The exact behavior depends on the commands and added hardware in your build.
Add electronics or change the payload
iRobot describes adding computers or microcontrollers, sensors and actuators. A camera-bot or a replacement storage-bin/cargo-tray build are examples of how a project can change what the robot carries. The right board and attachments depend on the particular project; the cited documentation does not establish one universal computer configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- SELF-EMPTYING FOR UP TO 3 MONTHS, NO MESS — Empties into the AutoEmpty dock; the 2.5 L AllergenLock bag traps 99% of pollen and mold and seals on removal, no dust cloud and hands stay clean in busy real-life homes.
- VACUUMS AND MOPS IN ONE PASS — Vacuums with a suction power of 15,000 Pa to lift crumbs and fine dust while the pad mops everyday buildup, covering up to 900 sq ft/charge, ideal for small to medium homes.
- EASY, EFFECTIVE MOPPING — The washable microfiber pad gently lifts dusty pawprints and light smudges on sealed hard floors, and you can set a No Mop Zone so rugs stay protected and won't get wet while you mop.
- CLEARVIEW LiDAR MAPS ROOMS AND AVOIDS OBSTACLES — Cleans in neat rows, even in low light, steering around shoes, pet bowls, and furniture, and navigates confidently in multi-room layouts including hallways and open living spaces.
- THOROUGH EDGE AND CORNER CLEANING — An extended mop pad and edge-sweeping brush work together to clean along baseboards and into corners other robots miss.
Try a documented inspiration project
- DJ Create 2: iRobot’s 2014 launch announcement described a roaming robot with Bluetooth-enabled mobile music control.
- LightBot: the same announcement featured a light-painting build that makes LED images.
These are historical examples from the launch announcement, not confirmation that every associated file, app or service remains maintained. The announcement also offered printable files for parts such as a cargo tray replacing the bin; it explicitly noted that a 3D printer was not included. iRobot’s Create 2 launch announcement
How to program Create 2
Legacy Scratch extension
The iRobot STEM Scratch Create 2 guide calls for a Create 2 robot, its communication cable, Adobe Flash, 32-bit Firefox ESR and a Scratch browser plugin. This is a legacy setup, so its instructions may not work with current browsers or operating systems; do not assume it is a straightforward modern installation. iRobot STEM Scratch Create 2 Extension guide
Rank #2
- VACUUMS AND MOPS IN ONE PASS — Vacuums with a suction power of 15,000 Pa to lift crumbs and fine dust while the pad mops everyday buildup, covering up to 900 sq ft/charge, ideal for small to medium-sized homes.
- EASY, EFFECTIVE MOPPING — The washable microfiber pad gently lifts dusty pawprints and light smudges on sealed hard floors, and you can set a No Mop Zone so rugs stay protected and won’t get wet while you mop.
- CLEARVIEW LiDAR MAPS ROOMS AND AVOIDS OBSTACLES — Cleans in neat rows, even in low light, steering around shoes, pet bowls, and furniture, and navigates confidently in multi-room layouts including hallways and open living spaces.
- THOROUGH EDGE AND CORNER CLEANING — An extended mop pad and edge-sweeping brush work together to clean along baseboards and into corners other robots miss.
- GREAT FOR PET FAMILIES — Anti-hair-wrap brushes resist pet-hair wrappings, helping busy homes with pets and kids stay cleaner.
ROS driver for serial control
For technically confident users, the AutonomyLab create_robot repository documents a ROS driver for Create 1 and Create 2, a serial-port connection and a Create 2 launch configuration. Follow the repository’s current setup directions and verify compatibility for your operating system and ROS environment before assembling the project; it is community-maintained software. AutonomyLab create_robot repository
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When Create 3 is a better fit
Create 3 is a separate educational robotics platform, not an upgrade kit for an ordinary Roomba. Its official ROS 2 materials provide a more current documented learning route for readers who want to progress from basic movement and sound into navigation, mapping, multi-robot exploration or telepresence. Official mechanical documentation also covers printable parts and mounting solutions. The documentation establishes these learning resources, but not current retail availability. Create 3 documentation · Create 3 Basics and examples · Create 3 mechanical documentation
Rank #3
- CLEAN FLOORS EVERY DAY—WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT. The Roomba Plus 415X vacuums and mops in one run, stopping crumbs, dust, and spills before they turn into stuck‑on messes. With 20,000 Pa and DualClean mop pads, your floors stay visibly clean from morning and night.
- NO MORE SCRUBBING DRIED‑ON MESSES. SmartScrub applies extra pressure exactly where messes are stubborn—breaking down dried food, muddy paw prints, and kitchen splatter, so you never have to scrub by hand again.
- REACHES THE PLACES DIRT USUALLY HIDES. A 46% slimmer design* fits under more furniture, while extending brushes pull debris from edges and corners—so dust doesn’t collect where traditional robots miss. *Compared to Roomba 105
- GREAT FOR HOMES WITH PETS. Tangle‑free rubber brushes capture pet fur without clogging, eliminating constant stops to cut hair off the brush.
- EVERY CLEAN STARTS WITH A FRESH MOP—NOT YESTERDAY’S DIRT. The AutoWash Dock washes and heat‑dries mop pads at 113°F after every run, preventing odors and buildup so floors aren’t cleaned with yesterday’s dirt.
Plan the build around compatibility
- Robot base: choose Create 2 for its documented Roomba-derived interface and serial-command projects, or Create 3 for its official ROS 2 project materials.
- Controller: a computer or microcontroller may be added to Create 2, but select it against the instructions for your chosen project rather than assuming a board is universally compatible.
- Connection and software: allow for Create 2’s serial connection and check the chosen programming route before buying or installing anything, particularly if following the legacy Scratch guide.
- Printed parts: Create 2 and Create 3 materials include printable-part support. Check the specific files, dimensions and printer settings for your build; a printer and filament are additional supplies, not included with the cited Create 2 platform.
- Availability and cost: verify present listings and accessory fit in your region. The cited sources do not establish current prices or a total project budget.
iRobot’s Canadian Create 2 page lists a three-hour battery recharge time. That is a product specification on that regional page, not a measure of project runtime or a general characteristic of all Roomba-based builds. Create 2 regional product specifications
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 75 DAYS HANDS‑FREE – The Roomba 105X Combo + AutoEmpty Dock captures dirt and dust in a sealed bag that locks in 99% of allergens (0.7 microns), so you can cleanup without touching the mess or releasing dust into the air.
- VACUUMS & MOPS TOGETHER TO SAVE TIME. Combines powerful vacuuming with a built‑in microfiber mop to clean hard floors in one run—less manual work for busy homes.
- POWERFUL CLEANING YOU CAN SEE—AND FEEL. Devours dirt with 70X more power‑lifting suction* to pull embedded dust, crumbs, and pet hair from carpets and hard floors. The 3‑Stage Cleaning System combines intense suction, a Multi‑Surface brush, and an Edge‑Sweeping brush to leave floors truly barefoot‑clean—not just surface tidy.*Compared to Roomba 600 series robots.
- 2× DEEPER SCRUBBING FOR STICKY FLOORS. SmartScrub uses a micro‑pump to keep the mop pad evenly moist for deeper cleaning of footprints, spills, and dried‑on messes.**
- SMART LIDAR MAPPING = NO MISSED ROOMS. ClearView LiDAR maps your home quickly and cleans in neat, efficient rows, delivering consistent coverage instead of random paths.
Rank #4
- CHECK VACUUMING OFF YOUR LIST. Effortless to use, the Roomba Vac 2 robot + AutoEmpty dock not only has 2x cleaning power* but it also empties on its own into a bag that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris. *As compared to the Roomba Essential robot
- 3 STAGES OF CLEANING UNITE FOR BAREFOOT-FRIENDLY FLOORS. A powerful 3-Stage Cleaning System vacuums with four levels of suction power, a Multi-Surface Bristle Brush, and a special Edge-Sweeping Brush so dust can't gather in corners.
- EMPTIES ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY. With the AutoEmpty dock, the robot self-empties into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris.
- NAVIGATES YOUR HOME LIKE A PRO. The smart navigation methodically cleans in neat rows, while sensors help it navigate around furniture and avoid falling down stairs.
- READY TO TACKLE DIRT RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. Straight out of the box, it's easy to use. It only takes a few minutes to set up your robot and start cleaning.
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