Neato Robotics’ robot vacuum cleaners are about to get a lot less intelligent. According to reports from The Verge, users are receiving notifications that cloud services for the devices will be discontinued, effectively stripping the smart vacuums of their app-based controls and scheduling capabilities.
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The End of Smart Cleaning
Customers who invested in Neato’s connected cleaning robots are discovering their devices will soon operate in manual mode only. Sources indicate the cloud shutdown means no more customizing cleaning routines through the MyNeato app, no remote control functionality, and essentially no smart features whatsoever. The vacuums will still clean, but they’ll require manual activation each time rather than operating on the automated schedules many users relied on.
Industry analysts note this represents a significant degradation of functionality for products that were marketed and sold as smart home devices. What were once connected appliances capable of operating on customized schedules will now function more like basic robotic cleaners from a decade ago.
Broken Promises and Evolving Standards
The situation becomes more complicated when considering the timeline. Neato Robotics, which was acquired by Vorwerk in 2017, ceased operations back in 2023. At that time, according to customer communications, the company promised five years of continued cloud support.
Now, just two years into that five-year commitment, the plug is being pulled. In emails obtained by journalists, Vorwerk explained that advancing cybersecurity standards, compliance obligations, and regulations have made it “no longer possible to safely and sustainably operate these legacy systems.”
This explanation highlights a growing challenge in the cloud computing and IoT space: maintaining security for legacy systems as standards evolve. What was secure enough two years ago may no longer meet current requirements, creating difficult decisions for companies supporting older products.
Broader Implications for Smart Home Devices
The Neato situation raises important questions about the long-term viability of cloud-dependent smart home products. When companies go out of business or discontinue support, consumers can be left with expensive paperweights—or in this case, significantly degraded products.
Market observers suggest this could influence future consumer purchasing decisions, particularly for products from smaller manufacturers or those with uncertain long-term prospects. The trend toward robot and automation in home appliances continues to grow, but incidents like this demonstrate the risks of products that rely heavily on cloud infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Vorwerk, the German company behind the well-known Thermomix kitchen appliances, now faces questions about its handling of the Neato brand. As Vorwerk continues its core business, the Neato shutdown represents an interesting case study in what happens when acquired brands are discontinued but their products remain in consumers’ homes.
The official support announcement confirms the timeline for the shutdown, leaving customers with limited options. For now, Neato owners will need to adjust to a world where their smart vacuum cleaner isn’t so smart anymore—a cautionary tale for the entire connected device industry.
