Page 193 - Hacking Roomba

174 Part II — Fun Things to Do

FIGURE 9-6: Ruler and clamp attached to Roomba

The ruler and clamp method has the benefit of enabling you to switch colors quickly without
messing up the position of the Roomba. It’s also the easiest way to draw with the street chalk.
The downside of this method is that it’s the least accurate for the software.
Figure 9-7 shows another positioning of the ruler-clamp combination, this time with chalk.
A piece of painter’s tape is wrapped around the chalk before inserting it into the clamp so the
clamp’s teeth don’t dig into the soft chalk.
Duct tape leaves residue and eventually your Roomba will start looking grungy. Use a damp
paper towel with a little dish soap, and you can rub off the residue easily.

Laying Out the Canvas

Don’t just let the Roomba start driving around with markers attached to it. It will stain floors.
Besides, without a canvas, you can’t save for later the great works of art you and your Roomba
create.