The fact that this isn't considered outright fraud is disturbing. This person OWNS the device, yes? They're not leasing it.

FFS, this should be illegal.

My robot vac will only operate when connected to the Internet so it's only allowed to communicate when actually in use. As soon as it returns to the charger Internet access is automatically blocked.

Unfortunately the manufacturer has deliberately made this as inconvenient as possible. If communication is blocked for more than a few hours the vacuum loses all maps and will no longer even load saved maps from the Tuya app. To use it the vac must be powered down and the app killed. Only then can a saved map be restored.

It's too bad it's so useful.

Louis Rossman should do a segment on them.

I have just purchased a Dreame L10s Ultra and have had the PCB for a breakout board made and components for setting it up ordered. In a few days I should get the last bits and I will be able to root the device and have it connect to Valetudo managed through Home Assistant. Fully local operation with basically the same features but none of the privacy issues. As soon as I can get it connected I will be able to use it just like a robot I actually own should without some random third party being involved in every single operation.

I am planning to make a list of devices I really do NOT want near me. Starting with this one.

I specifically got one which can run valetudo and it works great for over two years now. Without sending images of my flat to china or the us

There's something not working in this article.

They say it "makes sense" for the device to basically send the plan of your home to some online server, because the vacuum is not powerful enough to process this data on its own. This is already a bit horrifying to me, but okay.

And then when that guy blocked it out, the vacuum "worked for a while" before something sent the kill command through an update.

How come is it still working at all if navigation requires that server?

Stalkerware is criminal digital slavery. It is sale and ownership of a part of a person to manipulate and exploit them.

As useful a smart device are, it's very annoying that the company behind it are always either: 1) a scumbag that will collect data and will lockdown the device if people doesn't use it their way; 2)incompetent idiots that can't make a good software to save their life. So by using these device you basically have to pick the thing that you're willing to lose.

It's really too bad because robovac save me a lot of time and mental exhaustion.

I was thinking about getting one but I learned that they do require a lot of maintenance like cleaning the brushes and you have to change parts regularly. That sounds like more work they just sweeping from time to time. Also, broom has a lower carbon footprint.

Valetudo

This is every single 'smart device' out there. The way I was able to block everything in 2 Roborocks at home was by setting them up in Home Assistant over Matter, blocking everything and using it from HA only (us the schedules, those remain in the robots). It's less than convenient allowing it access to the update servers once per month to see if there's any and then blocking it again, but it's something.

We're preparing our 'smart home' for our new house that's not finished yet by choosing only devices that are matter over wifi (not thread) so that I can set it all up to work locally ove Home Assistant. That, in my opinion, is the best way to keep some convenience while shutting those assholes out.

...when i 'buy' something, should i not own and be able to use it and all functions until the end of it's mechanical processes?..

remote kill command had been issued to his device.

What the actual fuck?!

Libre alternative?

Had a kill command actually been sent, or does the device just not work without a remote server talking to it every so often?

Because the second one is probably worse from a "what if this company goes bust" standpoint.

Reject bottom feeder, Embrace Rigid vacuum.

Yeah, mine has it. I have to go into the app once a week and manually delete it.

Funhole@lemmy.sdf.org -ahh title

Jesus christ, just vaccuum your own house already. This is the largest tradeoff I have ever seen for the minor inconvenience of a single household chore.

Old news that's been posted several times in the last weeks

That's like a month old news article

No one should be outraged. That is how all robovacs are working - use LIDAR to map area -> send back to server -> server calculates optimal cleaning route -> sends back info to vac -> vac cleans. Vac cant ping back to server - server thinks vac is dead. No killswitch is needed.

Also, app is not a necessity except we are forced to use it. But many would not like to lose an ability to track progress or start and stop cleaning from their phone outside of the home network. For these features, app and external server is a must.

The only real issue with robo vacs is that it is an IoT device. We should make manufacturers and brands to let us choose if we want to selfhost their software. But that would never happen.

This article IMO is full of bs and ragebait.