Roomba 530 and 560

On Wednesday, iRobot plans to release a new generation of vacuuming robots to the public.

CNET News.com got a chance to test out iRobot's new Roomba 500 series ahead of time and get a private demonstration with iRobot CEO Colin Angle and Josh Preneta, the Roomba 500 series product manager.

The Roomba 530 (left) for $300 allows for two virtual walls to restrict robot room access and can clean about three rooms per charge.

The Roomba 560 (right) for $350 offers routine scheduling, a new method of timed movement control between rooms, and can clean about four rooms per charge.

Text by Candace Lombardi, staff writer, CNET News.com.

August 21, 2007 9:00 PM PDT

Photo by: iRobot