Hasta La Gadget!

It seems I can’t go more than a couple of days without finding another wacky Japanese gadget that seems to solve no real problem. Here’s another crazy product from the island nation. This robotic ball that works like a rolling dust mop.

While most of us would resort to using a vacuum cleaner or maybe a Swiffer to perform the task of sweeping up dust bunnies, the folks who designed the Mocoro rolling mop ball opted for something decidedly more whimsical.

Just release the Mocoro on your hardwood, tile or vinyl floors, and it’ll roll around collecting dust for about 15 minutes. Once it’s done, it’ll sing a little song to let you know its work is complete. It seems like a great idea until you realize that you have to wash it off between cleanings. The point is moot though, as your dog will probably use it as a chew toy before long anyhow.

Normally available only in Japan for ¥3,980 (~$40 USD), the folks over at White Rabbit Express should be able to help you get your hands on one.

Oh, how I love wacky Japanese gadgets. And how I hate cleaning. So when Francesco over at Hobby Media[IT] tipped me off to these Japanese cleaning robots, I was just about in heaven.

These inexpensive robots from Kyosho don’t aim to be as sophisticated as something like a Roomba or Wall-E, but then they don’t cost hundreds of dollars either. The Sugoi remote control vehicles come in two versions – one that’s a dust mop, and the other is a trash bin on wheels. Both can be driven around using an included RF remote control, so you can clean without getting your lazy behind up off the couch. In case you need a visual explanation, check them out in the video below:

What’s not to like? I can imagine sitting on the sofa during the big game, and with a push of the button, in pops my R/C garbage can, ready to receive my empties. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get these in time to clean up my mess after this year’s Super Bowl, since they’re currently only for sale in Japan.

You can find the garbage can here, and the dust mop here. They each sell for ¥2079 (~$21 USD), and you can try and see if someone like White Rabbit Express can import them for you. While you’re at it, you might want to pick up one of these.

[via Hobby Media]