Makerspet's open-source ROS2 LiDAR vacuum turns consumer bots into ROS2 robots

Makerspet and RemakeAI have open-sourced a complete ROS2 LiDAR robot vacuum cleaner project, enabling developers to convert consumer vacuums into fully ROS2-controlled robots. The project includes two GitHub repositories: one providing a ROS2 robot description for the Proscenic M6 Pro (makerspet/proscenic-m6pro) and another offering a detailed teardown of a consumer LiDAR vacuum (remakeai/vacuum_cleaner_teardown). The converted robot supports essential ROS2 topics such as /scan for LiDAR, /imu for inertial measurement, /cmd_vel for velocity commands, /odom for odometry, plus control of main and side brushes and the vacuum fan. The project also includes IR sensors, giving the robot obstacle detection beyond LiDAR. The teardown repository provides 3D-printable CAD files, allowing hobbyists and researchers to replicate the conversion without buying a specific brand.

The broader implications are significant for the robotics community. With this open-source work, developers can avoid reinventing the wheel when building low-cost robotic platforms. Instead of purchasing expensive ROS2 development kits, they can repurpose mass-produced consumer vacuums that already have LiDAR, motors, and sensors. The project also lowers the barrier to entry for ROS2 learning and research, as it provides a proven reference for integrating common sensors and actuators. The creator's forum post suggests a community discussion around building versus converting existing vacuums, and whether to swap boards or root the original firmware. This collaborative approach accelerates innovation in autonomous navigation, SLAM, and multi-robot coordination on a budget.