Neato’s cloud is shutting down, leaving its robovacs stuck in manual mode

Two years after US-based Neato Robotics closed up shop in 2023, its robot vacuum cleaners have reached the end of the road (or rather, hallway). Users received emails notifying them that their Neato robovacs will no longer have access to cloud services, meaning they can’t be controlled through the robots’ MyNeato app anymore.

An email from Neato Robotics to a user obtained by The Verge says, “Since Neato ceased operations in 2023, Vorwerk has continued maintaining the Neato cloud platform to honor the original five-year service promise. However, cybersecurity standards, compliance obligations, and regulations have advanced in ways that make it no longer possible to safely and sustainably operate these legacy systems.”

A statement provided to The Verge by Vorwerk spokesperson Michael Weber echoed that message, saying that in the time since Neato was shut down in 2023, “legal and technical requirements for data protection, cybersecurity, and compliance have changed significantly. Continuing to operate the outdated [Neato Robotics] systems would pose risks that we cannot reasonably pass on to our customers.”

Weber added that Vorwerk “assessed options such as open-sourcing parts of the Neato software stack,” but determined that that while it has not been ruled out, it was “not feasible at this point.” The statement in full is available below.

The end of cloud support means Neato’s robovacs will now only work in manual mode, meaning no more customizing your routines or controlling your robot from the MyNeato app.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, since Neato, which was acquired by Vorwerk in 2017, announced earlier this month that it will be phasing out cloud services for its robovacs. This comes just two years after it promised customers it would continue to support the vacuums for five years.

Michael Weber, Vorwerk spokesperson:

Neato Robotics was an independent company within the Vorwerk Group that ceased operations in 2023. To
protect customers’ ability to use their products, Vorwerk chose to continue the Neato cloud service voluntarily and for an extended period after the company’s closure.

In the meantime, legal and technical requirements for data protection, cybersecurity, and compliance have
changed significantly. Continuing to operate the outdated systems would pose risks that we cannot reasonably pass on to our customers.

Before reaching this decision, we assessed options such as open-sourcing parts of the Neato software stack.

However, the substantial efforts required for IP unbundling and transition, the clarification of all legal aspects in combination with existing hardware still under warranty, and the overlap of technologies with Vorwerk applications make this approach not feasible at this point. While we do not rule out open-source engagement for the future, we decided against this option after carefully weighing all pros and cons.

Neato robots will continue to function in manual mode. Normal functionality is therefore ensured. All existing warranty and service obligations remain in place, and our customer service team is available to support customers during the transition. The decision, however, was not taken lightly.

We kindly ask for your understanding that this decision was made responsibly and in the best interest of our
customers’ safety and data protection.

Update, November 3rd: Added comment from Vorwerk spokesperson Michael Weber.