iRobot manufactures a variety of small robots designed for education, research and cleaning purposes. The Roomba is a vacuum cleaning robot that automatically scoots along the floor, suctioning up dirt and debris. The unit is small enough to fit under many furniture items and has an on-board sensor to avoid falling down stairs and to redirect itself from walls, corners and obstacles. While the Roomba should function well with regular maintenance, problems may occasionally arise. One such problem is if the Roomba does not move forward.
Press the center button on the Roomba to turn it off.
Lift up the Roomba and place it on a flat surface. Examine the wheels for possible obstructions that may be preventing forward motion. Clean the wheels with a damp cloth. Wipe the sensors on each side of the Roomba with a clean, dry cloth.
Shake the wheels to remove any hidden debris and push the wheels up and down.
Turn the wheels back and forth by hand. If they do not turn manually, set the Roomba on the floor and push it forward and back with your hand.
Use a can of compressed air, available at most home repair or hardware stores, to blow into the wheel well.