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DIY robot concept

Robot vacuum parts list

A DIY robot vacuum needs a reliable drive base, bumper sensing, cliff detection and a dust path that is easy to clean.

Robot vacuum builds are mechanical projects before they are navigation projects. The robot needs to move without getting stuck, collect dust into a removable bin and survive bumping into furniture.

Start with random-bounce cleaning and reliable sensors before mapping. A weak suction path or jammed brush will make mapping irrelevant.

Core parts

Round chassis shell

$35

Low profile body that turns around furniture

Encoder drive motors

$25

Differential drive with repeatable motion

Centrifugal suction fan

$25

Airflow through dust bin

Brush roller motor

$12

Lifts debris into suction path

Bumper switches

$8

Detects furniture contact

Cliff sensors

$10

Stops stair falls

Design variants

Random-bounce cleaner

Simpler firmware, bumper switches and cliff sensors.

Mapped vacuum

Add wheel odometry, IMU and LiDAR after the cleaning path works.

Practical safety note

Treat the generated output as a prototype plan, not a certified product. Body-adjacent, high-voltage, optical-energy and mobility builds need qualified review before real-world use.

FAQ

What part matters most?

The dust path and brush. Navigation does not help if debris never reaches the bin.

Do I need LiDAR?

Not for the first version. Add it after the robot drives and cleans reliably.

Why add cliff sensors?

Any floor robot near stairs needs a hard way to stop before falling.

Related robot guides

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