Rediscovering Robotics: A Look Back at the 2002 iRobot Roomba Debut

New York, NY – In a blast from the past, a recently unearthed news report from 2002 showcases the initial public reception and detailed review of the groundbreaking iRobot Roomba. The segment, originally aired on NBC4NY, features consumer reporter Asa Aarons and tech expert Lance Ulanoff of PC Magazine Online, who meticulously unbox and demonstrate the then-novel robotic vacuum cleaner. Ulanoff highlighted the Roomba's autonomous capabilities, stating, "It's a true working robot, and you know what, the thing is you may not notice it's a robot. And it doesn't matter." He further emphasized its accessibility, noting, "It's a $200 working vacuum that will know how to vacuum the room on its own." The report detailed the Roomba's navigation patterns, including its concentric circles for open areas and its ability to follow walls and detect drops like stairs, ensuring thorough cleaning without human intervention. The review concluded with Ulanoff's prescient observation that this affordable robot would not only revolutionize house cleaning but also fundamentally alter how society views machines.

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