Building an Open-Source Robot Vacuum – Meet Oomwoo
Oomwoo is an open-source robot vacuum built on an ESP32-S3 custom PCB, designed for full customization and repairability. The project integrates ESPHome and Home Assistant, and includes a dedicated Flutter companion app.
Background
- **Oomwoo** is an open-source, DIY robot vacuum project launched by MakersPet, a small hardware-focused brand. It aims to be a repairable, hackable alternative to commercial robot vacuums like Roomba or Roborock.
- Most consumer robot vacuums are closed systems — proprietary software, non-replaceable batteries, glued-shut casings, and no public schematics. Oomwoo is designed to be fully user-serviceable, with 3D-printable parts, open firmware, and standard components.
- The project reflects the growing "right to repair" and open-source hardware movements, which push back against planned obsolescence and locked-down devices. It's relevant to makers, hobbyists, and anyone concerned about e-waste or device longevity.
- The name Oomwoo is a play on "roomba" and "oom" (a unit of electrical resistance, spelled "ohm"), nodding to the project's DIY electronics focus.