Compact autonomous coverage robot

An autonomous coverage robot comprising:

• a chassis having forward and rearward portions, the forward portion defining a substantially rectangular shape, the rearward portion defining an arcuate shape;
• a drive system carried by the rearward portion of the chassis and configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface, the drive system comprising right and left drive wheels differentially driven by corresponding right and left motors;
• a controller in communication with the drive system, the controller configured to maneuver the robot to pivot in place;
• a cleaning assembly mounted on the forward portion of the chassis, the cleaning assembly comprising:
• at least one roller brush rotatably mounted substantially near a front edge of the chassis;
• and
• a bin disposed rearward of the cleaning assembly and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly;
• an idler wheel positioned rearwardly of the cleaning assembly;
• a bin cover attached to the chassis and configured to move between a first, closed position providing closure of an opening defined by the bin and a second, open position providing access to the bin opening;
• a handle disposed on the chassis;
• a partially rectangular bumper flexibly attached to the chassis and substantially covering the chassis, the bumper being movable in relation to the handle and the chassis;
• a bump sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect movement in multiple directions, wherein contact with the bumper is translated to the bump sensor for detection;
• a bumper guide configured to direct bumper movement along two directions to detect movement in two perpendicular directions;
• and
• at least one proximity sensor carried by the partially rectangular bumper, the at least one proximity sensor responsive to an obstacle substantially near the bumper, the controller configured to alter a drive direction in response to a signal received from the at least one proximity sensor,
• wherein the controller is configured to alter a drive direction of the robot in response to a signal received from the bump sensor.