A mobile robot, comprising: a processor connected to a memory and to a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit; driven wheels commandable by the processor to reach a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household; and an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, commandable by the processor to perform mechanical work in the household; characterized in that the processor executes a plurality of routines including: a first routine which monitors a wireless local network by communicating with the wireless network circuit, and detects a presence state of one or more network entities on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor, the sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence state and on the action state detected by the first and second routines; and in that the mobile robot processor and wireless network circuit monitor the wireless local network of approximately 5-20 meters maximum range for a change from presence to absence of a known network entity as a departure from the household, and once determining the network entity has departed, waits for a time period to verify departure before initiating a cleaning mission within the household. a processor connected to a memory and to a wireless network circuit, for executing routines stored in the memory and commands generated by the routines and received via the wireless network circuit; driven wheels commandable by the processor to reach a multiplicity of accessible two dimensional locations within a household; and an end effector, including at least one motorized actuator, commandable by the processor to perform mechanical work in the household; characterized in that the processor executes a plurality of routines including: a first routine which monitors a wireless local network by communicating with the wireless network circuit, and detects a presence state of one or more network entities on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor, the sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence state and on the action state detected by the first and second routines; a first routine which monitors a wireless local network by communicating with the wireless network circuit, and detects a presence state of one or more network entities on the wireless local network, a second routine which receives a signal from a sensor, the sensor detecting an action state of one of the network entities, the action state changeable between waiting and active, and a third routine which commands the end effector to change state of performing mechanical work based on the presence state and on the action state detected by the first and second routines; and in that the mobile robot processor and wireless network circuit monitor the wireless local network of approximately 5-20 meters maximum range for a change from presence to absence of a known network entity as a departure from the household, and once determining the network entity has departed, waits for a time period to verify departure before initiating a cleaning mission within the household.