Why does my Roomba 980 keep crashing into the kitchen counter during meal prep?

I've been using the Roomba 980 for months, and it finally decided to act up right in the middle of my lunch prep. It’s like the little robot thinks the counter is a cliff.

I just updated to firmware 1.2.5 because the manufacturer said it would fix the IR sensor glitch. Instead, the Roomba now ignores the bump sensor and keeps sliding straight into the edge of the counter, smashing the cutting board and sending a stack of applesauce jars flying.

What I’ve tried:

• Resetting the robot via the app.
• Re‑calibrating the bump sensors.
• Cleaning the IR sensor and the dustbin.
• Moving the charging dock to a different spot.
• Checking for firmware regressions in the release notes.

None of it helped. It’s like the Roomba has a mind of its own now. The next time I’m chopping veggies, I’m hoping the robot will stay out of the way. Anyone else have a Roomba that turns into a kitchen disaster? I need some tips or a good laugh about this ridiculous situation.

Edit: I finally discovered that the counter’s metal surface is causing a reflection that the IR sensor misinterprets as a wall. I’ve covered the counter with a non‑metallic sheet, but the Roomba still keeps bumping into it. Does anyone know a fix for this? I’m running out of patience (and applesauce jars).