hypfer/valetudo

Valetudo is software that replaces the cloud connection on certain robot vacuum cleaners so they can run entirely on your local network without sending data to the manufacturer's servers. It works with robots from brands including Roborock, Dreame, and Xiaomi. Importantly, it is not a custom firmware: it runs alongside the robot's original software rather than replacing it, which means you still benefit from the engineering the manufacturer put into the robot's core behavior. The problem Valetudo solves is that many modern robot vacuums require an account and an internet connection to function. The manufacturer's app may show ads, push subscription upgrades, or stop working if the company changes its cloud service. Valetudo sidesteps all of that by intercepting the robot's communication and providing a self-hosted web interface you access directly on your home network. Once installed, you control the robot through a web page that works on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers. For smart home setups, Valetudo integrates with Home Assistant and similar platforms using MQTT, a standard messaging protocol. It also exposes a REST API with built-in documentation, so technical users can automate cleaning from other systems. The project is maintained by a single developer as a personal hobby project and is explicit about this. The README uses the metaphor of a privately-owned public garden: free to use and enjoy, but not community-governed. Feature direction is the author's call, and the project is not designed to grow its audience or commercialize. This is relevant context if you are evaluating it for a setup that depends on active, community-driven maintenance. Valetudo is open source under the Apache 2.0 license. Installation requires a supported robot and some technical comfort, as you will need to consult the project's documentation site for steps specific to your hardware model.