iRobot Moves into the Garage

iRobot's Roomba and Scooba lines of housecleaning robots have had an easy time of it. For years, they've mainly been concerned with vacuuming and mopping floors around the house, but never having to worry about the tougher messes. However, this Friday iRobot is adding a more rugged member to the family: the $129 Dirt Dog. (You can tell it's for the tough stuff because the name isn't as cute.)

Designed for places like garages, workbench areas and industrial surfaces, the Dirt Dog -- sporting a black and yellow casing that just screams "home renovation" -- can pick up debris like nails, wood chips and sawdust. Like its daintier cousins, the Dirt Dog scuttles around underfoot, using its sensors to guide itself and avoid obstacles and hazards like workbenches and stairs. Finally, an easy way to keep the garage floor sparkling clean. Er, more or less.