National: Vroomba, the Fastest Vacuum in the World, Reaches Speeds Exceeding 55 km/h

Australian YouTuber Alister Laidlaw has made headlines with his creation of the Vroomba, declared the “world’s fastest robotic vacuum” by Guinness World Records. Laidlaw modified an iRobot Roomba vacuum with high-performance electronics, 3D printed material, and remote control gear to achieve a top speed of 57 km/h.

The process of building the Vroomba was documented on Laidlaw’s YouTube channel, Electrosync. He faced challenges fitting all the components into the Roomba’s body while maintaining aerodynamics. Many new pieces were 3D printed for a custom fit, and Laidlaw had to creatively solve problems related to balance and control.

After several test runs and modifications, the Vroomba functioned like an RC car, reaching an impressive speed of 57 km/h. Laidlaw even took feedback from followers to improve the Vroomba’s design, changing the wheel composition and adding a spoiler like that of a sports car.

Despite not setting a new speed record at an RC track, the Vroomba showcased impressive speed and agility before crashing and splitting into four parts. Laidlaw’s design was initially rejected by Guinness but later accepted as a “product or company record” due to its association with the Roomba brand.

Laidlaw, with over 50,000 YouTube subscribers, plans to continue working on the Vroomba to enhance its speed and handling. While the Vroomba is not commercially available, it has sparked interest in the world of robotic vacuums and DIY modifications.