That review is a little simple. But it does outline one important fact: The Roomba still means a lot of work for the owner.

One of the first pieces of the puzzle to solve before the next such killer product comes out is self-recharging. Units should make their own way back to the recharge bay. If its charge dies while it's under a bed or sofa, that's a little bit of a PITA.

Personally, I'd like a real vacuum instead of contact rollers. For solid surface floors you'd want to turn off the rollers and leave the pick-up action up to suction. It looks like a major hassle to clean those rollers too.

I'd say someone is better off with a Dyson cannister. It has just as much novelty although of a different flavour. And it will clean the entire house (in less time) to a greater degree of satisfaction.

But a vacuuming is still something I'd like to see solved by a "robot" - along with a mowing the lawn. But I'd like something that can be programmed to come online while I'm out of the house and dock itself by the time I get back. So there's no noise while I'm around.

Bruno