iRobot Shipping First Bristle-Free Roomba Vacuum (Your Cat Can Still Ride on It)

Massachusetts-based iRobot, maker of defense- and consumer robots, is launching a line of “bristle-free” Roomba vacuum cleaners for the home. Called the Roomba 800 Series, the new vacuums are said to have “AeroForce extractors” that suck up to 50 percent more dirt, dust and hair from dry floors. The first in the series, the Roomba 880, is shipping for $700. That’s a pricey vacuum, but on par with previous new-Roomba prices, and at least your cat-in-a-shark-suit will appreciate it.