possible solution to the static problem

[engunneer]

I used to work at iRobot on Roomba, and some of the very early testing models had static issues (we were trying to cause them, we kept a special testing room at 10% humidity or less). As we insulated more and mor, and protected the processor more and more, the static would build up higher and higher until it eventually caused permanent damage when it did zap (it will always zap eventually). The adding static bleeders really helps the situation.

to the earlier comment that you might not be in contact with the carpet long enough before you hit the field wall - Electricity is pretty fast. If you have a good ground tail, it should bleed off the charge almost immediately.

I hope things are better this upcoming week. At least Seattle and Portland don't have issues with low humidity.

When I was working at iRobot to troubleshoot this, we picked up a simple static meter to measure the static on objects. It's very odd waving a box at your target and getting a static reading. The sensor on the front of the box was just a PCB with a giant copper pad that you had to point at your target. It was pretty cool.