A new open-source robot vacuum project called OOMWOO aims to give makers complete control over their home cleaning robot. Unlike commercial alternatives that lock users into proprietary ecosystems, this build-it-yourself approach uses ROS 2 and Home Assistant integration with no cloud dependency. The project emphasizes transparency and hackability.

OOMWOO employs an affordable 2D LiDAR for mapping and autonomous navigation, running locally on a Raspberry Pi 5 or ESP32 with micro-ROS. The modular design lets multiple contributors work on different components simultaneously, with the best solutions emerging through pull requests. Core modules already available include Gazebo simulation and SLAM mapping.

The robot's name reflects its design philosophy—it's a rotational ambigram readable flipped 180 degrees. While optional cloud features may come later, the fundamental promise remains: a fully functional, cloud-free vacuum out of the box. Everything stays open source, from 3D-printable chassis to firmware.

A parts kit will be available through Maker's Pet for convenience, though sourcing components individually is always an option. The project lives at github.com/makerspet/oomwoo with build documentation, Discord chat, and YouTube updates for those wanting to follow along.