Robot vacuums are all the rage. Led by the wildly popular (and soon to be hackable, they say) iRobot Roomba, the robot vacuum segment surely doesn’t suck …

iRobot’s original Roombas have given way to a whole line of nifty robot vacuums, from the entry-level Red to the top of the line Discovery SE … and the Burlington, MA-based company is just getting started.

Imagine being able to program your robot vacuum to automatically do its dirty work when you’re not around. The new Roomba Scheduler (which is expected to arrive next month) will allow you to vacuum robotically up to seven preset times each week, with maximum cleaning periods of two hours. Built-in intelligence allows the unit to automatically return to the home base unit for a three hour recharge.

If your kitchen floor is looking for some automated scrubbing love, Christmas can’t come too soon. Roomba’s upcoming Scooba robotic floor washer promises to vacuum, wash, and dry in one fell swoop using a custom Clorox-designed cleaning fluid. It’s targeted at wood, tile, and linoleum floors, according to the company’s website. (Call me old-fashioned, but not late for dinner, I can’t help but be wary about washing wood floors with a general cleaning solution).

Is the Roomba out of your budget range? The Invention Channel claims that their RoboMaid normally sells for $60 in Europe, but they’re willing to let you try the device for just ten bucks (plus $7.99 shipping). This critter isn’t a true robot vacuum, as it uses electrostatic dusting pads (similar in some respects to a dry Swifter). If you like it, they’ll bill you for the remainder. If not, you can ship it back and owe nothing (except the cost of shipping it back, presumably). Black & Decker’s RV500 Zoombot Remote-Control Vacuum might hold appeal for the tight-budgeted, as well … alas Amazon reviews speak of inadequate performance on carpet.

Want to go big ticket? The Karcher RC3000 RoboCleaner is clad in the company’s characteristic yellow finish and aimed at the high-end of the robot vacuum market. The RC3000’s base station automatically charges the unit and empties the dirt container. The pleasantly-designed Electrolux Trilobite Robotic Vacuum has name-recognition that will ring grandma’s bell as quickly as it empties her wallet.