Neato Robotics, a US-based company, announced that its robot vacuum cleaners will no longer have access to cloud services, effectively ending support for the MyNeato app. This decision follows the company’s closure in 2023, two years ago. Users have begun receiving emails informing them of the change.
In a communication to users, Neato Robotics explained that while its acquirer, Vorwerk, maintained the cloud platform to fulfill an original five-year service commitment, advancements in cybersecurity standards and compliance requirements made it untenable to continue operating the existing systems. As a result, Neato’s robot vacuums will be limited to manual operation, removing the ability for users to customize routines or control the devices via the app.
Neato’s shift away from cloud services is not entirely unexpected. The company, which was acquired by Vorwerk in 2017, had previously informed customers that it would phase out cloud support. This announcement comes just two years after the company pledged ongoing support for its products for five years. Vorwerk has been contacted for further comments on the situation, and updates will be provided if a response is received.
The implications for users are significant, as the loss of cloud services restricts the functionality of the devices they purchased, raising questions about the reliability of long-term support for smart home technology.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/806246/neato-robovac-cloud-shutdown