What the Roomba looks like.
The Roomba Robot works by sensors, along the front of the machine, when it is running and the sensor detects something like a wall or a stairway, or and animal it backs up and goes in a diffrent direction.
Here is a picture of the sensors.

People might not think this is a good product, but it is the science behind it makes it the best product on the market almost. The roomba robot can range from the price of $50 to $1,500.
Refrences
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/home/robotic-vacuum2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roomba