Neato’s cloud is shutting down, leaving its robovacs stuck in manual mode
In a disappointing turn of events for Neato Robotics users, the company has officially ceased all cloud services for its robot vacuum cleaners, effectively rendering these devices much less functional. Two years after Neato closed its operations in 2023, users are now receiving notifications that their vacuums will no longer be able to connect to the MyNeato app, which previously allowed for remote control and customized cleaning routines. This shift means that the vacuums will revert to manual mode, stripping away the convenience that many users appreciated. The announcement has sparked frustration among loyal customers, especially since Neato had initially promised to support its products for five years following its acquisition by Vorwerk in 2017.
In an email to users, Neato explained that the decision to discontinue cloud support was driven by evolving cybersecurity standards and compliance regulations, which made it increasingly difficult to maintain the legacy systems safely and sustainably. Vorwerk, the parent company of Neato, had attempted to uphold the original service promise, but ultimately determined that the risks associated with continuing the cloud platform outweighed the benefits. This development is particularly disheartening for users who invested in Neato’s technology, hoping to benefit from the advanced features that the app provided. With the removal of cloud services, the vacuums can no longer be programmed or monitored remotely, significantly diminishing their utility.
This situation reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies often face challenges in maintaining legacy systems amidst rapid advancements in technology and regulatory requirements. The abrupt end of Neato’s cloud services serves as a cautionary tale for consumers regarding the long-term viability of smart home devices. As users navigate this transition, many will likely reconsider their reliance on connected home technology, weighing the benefits against the potential for future service discontinuation. As of now, Vorwerk has not provided additional comments on the situation, leaving users to grapple with the implications of this shift in service.
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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 are receiving 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.
In an email obtained by
The Verge
, Neato Robotics explained the decision to users, stating, “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.”
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.
The Verge
has reached out to Vorwerk for comment, and we will update this article if we get a response.
