ChronoFive Play today’s puzzle
2002 CE Turn of the millennium Technology

iRobot Roomba Hits Shelves

iRobot introduced the first Roomba in September 2002, marketing autonomous floor cleaning to busy households.

Setting the scene

Early sensors were cheap IR and bump switches; SLAM mapping arrived in premium tiers as smartphone supply chains dropped component costs.

What happened

Pet hair torture tests became unofficial YouTube genre fuel.

Why it still matters

Amazon acquisition interest raised antitrust questions about smart-home data. Memorable detail: cats riding Roombas became an accidental mascot campaign.

Background

Consumer robotics pivots later leaned on defense contract roots and smart-home integrations with voice assistants.

Sources

ChronoFive is a free daily history game — guess the year for five real events, then read the story behind each one.

Play today’s puzzle

More from history

2002 CEBeltway Snipers 2002 CEEuro Banknotes Enter Circulation 2002 CENorthern Ireland Peace Milestone 2001 CEAnthrax Letters 2001 CEChina Joins WTO 2003 CEColumbia Shuttle Lost