Since a firmware update, iRobot vacuum robots behave strangely.
Firmware update 3.12.8 should bring the vacuum cleaner robots up to date. In some cases the iRobot devices did not seem to tolerate the new software well. On forums, on Twitter and Reddit, owners report that their vacuum cleaners are “drunk”.
The Roomba i7 and S9 models seem to be most affected. After the update, they turn in circles for no reason, ram furniture, drive in strange patterns, suddenly get “stuck” in empty rooms or cannot find their way back to the docking station.
Fix comes in weeks
The manufacturer iRobot has now confirmed the problems. However, it will take a while before the robots “sober up”. The company told The Verge that a corresponding firmware update will come within the next few weeks.
For some users this means that the robot will be almost unusable by then. Because with the update, the maps of the house or apartment (Smart Maps) created by the robot were deleted. And because he's causing so many problems vacuuming after the update, the map can't be recreated. Targeted vacuuming in certain rooms or the establishment of restricted areas is not possible.
iRobot has recommended users whose robots can hardly be used after the update to downgrade to the old firmware. However, according to some people, their Roomba is still causing problems afterwards.
@iRobot what's up with the 3.12.8 release? My tickets were closed and I wasn't rolled back. These robots looks drunk since the update. Mounting complaints in the forums continue. Some folks who were rolled back got rolled forward and the issues came back. HELP!
– Anthony Virtuoso (@AnthonyVirtuoso) February 21, 2021
