---
title: "Watch the ‘World’s Fastest Roomba’ Obliterate Itself in a Not-So-High-Speed Crash"
description: "A speed record for robot vacuum cleaners is much more likely to end in a crash than a new world record, as one builder found out."
date: "2023-08-21"
modified: "2023-08-21"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/watch-the-worlds-fastest-roomba-obliterate-itself-in-a-not-so-high-speed-crash"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "speed record"
---

# Watch the ‘World’s Fastest Roomba’ Obliterate Itself in a Not-So-High-Speed Crash

![World's fastest Roomba robot vacuum cleaner. The Roomba has visible pink wheels and trim on its aerodynamic elements, including pink-rimmed front and rear wing end plates.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/21/worlds-fastest-roomba.jpg>)
*\<em\>electrosync on YouTube\</em\>*

First off, no, I didn't imagine I'd read the words "world's fastest [Roomba](<https://www.thedrive.com/opinion/40604/five-things-my-roomba-does-better-than-my-tesla>)" today either. But that's enough to get my attention on its own, and I only wish this robot vacuum cleaner could've beaten its own speed record—rather than yardsale-ing itself into a curb.

The "Vroomba" as it's nicknamed was developed by YouTube user [Electrosync](<https://www.youtube.com/@electrosync>), who with a previous iteration of the robot achieved a top speed of 35 mph. That doesn't sound fast, but remember, a Roomba has no suspension, wheels just a few inches in diameter, and a tricky tandem two-wheel-drive configuration that's better for pivoting in place than achieving high speeds. It's unstable by design, and we all know what the best solution is for high-speed stability: [Aerodynamic downforce](<https://www.thedrive.com/guides-and-gear/what-is-downforce>).

> [View this post on Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CwAH2UBrd7U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading>)

> [A post shared by electrosync (@electrosync)](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CwAH2UBrd7U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading>)

Seeking to achieve a higher speed, Electrosync 3D-printed stronger, more durable parts for the Roomba out of nylon carbon fiber. He fabricated new gearbox mounts, a splitter, diffuser, wing, and an underbody tray too. He also switched to an RC controller with gyro stabilization to improve stability under power. Unfortunately, the bot remained hard to control, which would prove consequential.

During a top-speed run on an asphalt street, the Vroomba reached 27 mph before spearing into a curb and shattering into four large pieces. One major assembly fell down a storm drain, and the Roomba's original chassis sustained significant damage. What's more, the onboard camera was destroyed in the impact too, and its memory couldn't be recovered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phITCK1LnDs

But all the original composite parts were okay, so Electrosync will reconstruct the chassis using carbon fiber for another attempt at the record. It won't be acknowledged by Guinness but it's not like that many people are fighting over the record for the fastest Roomba, are they?

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)