Neato Vacuums Lose Smart Features After Cloud Shutdown
▼ Summary
– Neato robot vacuums will permanently lose cloud services, making the app non-functional and reducing the robots’ usefulness.
– The vacuums will revert to manual mode only, requiring users to press the physical button to operate them without remote control or scheduling.
– Parent company Vorwerk Group shut down Neato in 2023 and is ending cloud support earlier than its original five-year promise due to cybersecurity and compliance issues.
– This reflects a broader trend where companies like Google and Belkin have discontinued cloud support for older internet-connected devices, limiting their functionality.
– Internet connectivity in appliances ties consumers to companies’ decisions, which can render devices less useful if support is withdrawn after purchase.
The discontinuation of Neato robot vacuum smart features following a cloud service shutdown highlights a growing concern for owners of internet-connected devices. An email obtained by The Verge confirms that Neato Robotics’ parent company, Vorwerk Group, is permanently taking the cloud platform offline, which will disable the MyNeato app and eliminate remote functionality for these popular cleaning devices.
While Neato vacuums will continue to operate in a basic capacity, their usefulness diminishes significantly without cloud support. Owners will lose the ability to start, stop, or schedule cleanings through the mobile application. Manual operation becomes the only option, requiring users to physically press the power button on the vacuum itself. This reduced functionality means the devices will simply roam randomly between rooms without any programmed cleaning patterns or smart navigation assistance.
This development comes after Vorwerk shuttered Neato Robotics in 2023, citing the brand’s failure to achieve economic targets. At that time, the parent company committed to maintaining cloud services for at least five years, providing some assurance to existing customers. That assurance has now been revoked earlier than many users anticipated.
In their communication to customers, Vorwerk explained that evolving cybersecurity requirements and compliance regulations made it impossible to continue operating what they termed “legacy systems” safely and sustainably. The company noted they had extended service beyond the original shutdown specifically to honor their five-year promise, but technological advancements ultimately forced their hand.
The situation with Neato represents a broader pattern affecting smart home devices. Earlier this year, Google announced it would discontinue cloud support for early-generation Nest thermostats, effectively converting them into manual devices. Similarly, Belkin revealed plans to terminate support for numerous Wemo smart home products, including light switches, plugs, and security cameras.
Internet connectivity creates product dependency that leaves consumers vulnerable to corporate decisions long after purchase. When companies determine that maintaining cloud infrastructure becomes economically unfeasible or technically challenging, they can simply discontinue services, transforming sophisticated devices into basic versions of their former selves. This reality underscores how manufacturers retain control over product functionality even after consumers have completed their purchases.
(Source: Gizmodo)
