h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was just reading about a toy dinosaur robot called a "PLEO." It's in the Sharper Image catalog. This thing has 2 microprocessors, 14 motors, 106 gears, 1 camera for vision, 2 microphones, 8 touch sensors, 2 speakers for vocalizations, and an infrared transceiver. But here's the thing -- it is programmed to have a unique personality! It reacts differently according to how it is treated and "raised". No two are exactly alike. The brochure says that PLEO can react with "happiness, sadness, anxiety, curiosity, moodiness, surprise, and love." Moodiness! Does this sound familiar? Shades of Marvin the Paranoid Android! Actually, I am torn between thinking this is pretty darn neat, and thinking it is a little creepy. I guess kids today will take it in stride. It's still expensive, about $300, so I guess I won't be playing with one any time soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lWpS7NN3SY

See one in action.

It would probably scare the hell out of my cat.

Amazing stuff! I had heard about that, now I can say I've seen it...at least on youtube!

OhI'm sure it would scare Micio!

If it's moody ,and anxious,it'd probably scare me!!!
With three daughters and five teenage grandaughters i "see" moody quite a lot!!!

>>It would probably scare the hell out of my cat.

Now *that's* something I'd like to see on YouTube!

That is cool!

And it would scare the hell out of my cat, too. Of course, so would the "robot" I want, which is utterly lacking in personality, but can clean the house while I'm at work: http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=122 . They're around $400, too, though, plus extra for various accessories.

That's a fair chunk of change for a robot, tool or toy.

But they are SO cool...

They sound relatively cheap to me...I mean they're not in the thousands or anything...mind you the dollar's the weakest it's been for years against the pound

Jab

Thousands might be reasonable for the robot JEllen was looking at. Certainly thousands would be far, far too much to waste on a vacuum cleaner.

I may well get one of the Roombas, though. How nice it would be to have the floors cleaned while we're at work. Now if only I could get that maid service to respond to my requests for a price quote...

Just googled Roombas and found that it is a vacuum cleaner but like a robot! Sounds good ... can anyone recommend it? Does it become after a while like a pet ... one that you trip over? How about cleaning the bag/filter? How often?

All round; i reckon it would be far more satisfying & probably cheaper, to employ some young, fit, handsome young man to come & do whatever is necessary. Any Frenchman will fit the bill as far as "moody" goes! And probably won't scare the cat so much.

(Useful info: "aspirateur" = Hoover in French)

zdt

It doesn't use a bag, the Roomba, and the brushes and filters are apparently easily removed for cleaning. The fit, handsome young man in residence has the best of intentions, but we just can't keep up with Herman scattering fuzz and litter bits willy-nilly. He'll get no sympathy from me regarding being scared by the vacuum, that cat... it's his fault we need to use one in the first place.

Oh, Zweimoto- the filters/brushes apparently require cleaning periodically, they suggest once a week if you have pets. I'm not sure how often otherwise.

Squeaking as someone who used to be a cleaner for a living, i can say personally, that the only hoover for me is a Henry.

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/Numatic.htm

Mine is now around 12 years old, cleaned factories, bars, private houses with & without pets & still going strong. The suction power is immense, it doesn't have a bag, i empty the grot out around twice a year. They have nice smiley faces & come in various colours. (Mine is orange)

The drawback is they are heavy to carry up & downstairs, hence my need for a fit young man to do that part (with much sighing & mopping of brow & poetry reading no doubt)

zdt

They're really cute. I've got a canister vac, not nearly as cute. They don't sell Henries here, unfortunately.

I really wanted one of these: http://www.dyson.com/store/product.asp?product=DC14-ANIMAL_US

Still... it wouldn't do the work *for* me.

ooooo I want one! must see how much they're seeling for

Thanks to everyone for the advice ... apart from the nice French bloke for my wife ... My real concern is that we have 4 children, an elderly woman, a cat and a dog, plus lots of visitors! I've always fancied an e-hoover but was never sure about the price/efficiency of one.

"They suggest once a week if you have pets. I'm not sure how often otherwise." Once a day if you have a departure Grand Central Station @ home!

Thanks for introducing Henry to me/us. It looks strangely familiar ... and I won't worry about going upstairs ... the only upstairs we have in where the children play (in the loft space) - cleaned once a month!

What is the male equivalent of Au Paar? That's what my wife wants ... no way, unless he is 80 ... but then, what is the point?

I found a Dyson at a local tip (Recycling) plant last year in London and took it back with me to Germany. Cleaned it throughly, put a European plug on it and it works ... and still works. After doing the two large carpets in the hallway, I then go over them both with the Dyson and have to empty the container afterwards... so much stuff!! But the Animal looks mean and sexy, doesn't it!!

2legs asked: "No moustache, no hat," now I know ... it reminds me of that TV games in the 70/80's where if you lose you get a rubbish bin to take home with you ... anyone remember?

I hate Dysons!!! One of the houses i used to clean had one, after trying it once, i decided to haul dear old Henry round there, no comparison.

I emailed the Henry manufactures to say i'd linked to their site & sung Henry's praises. I'm most impressed, the sales guy emailed me straight back.

Apparently there *are* distributors in USA, plus you can get up to 4 metre long extension hoses to cope with stairs, by mail if necessary. I think i might treat myself to a long length of Henry hose for Xmas, then the poor hardworking beastie can stay snuggled up in one place!

zdt

If I don't get the Roomba, I'd love a Dyson. Eventually. I guess the reason I have such a hard time justifying that much for an upright is that we have hardwood floors- we only have two medium-sized area rugs and a few scatter rugs. It'd be nice to be able to do the upholstery, the ceiling fans, and all the blinds, though.

The Roomba obviously can't get the upholstery, blinds or fans. But I'm still leaning towards having vacuuming done every day while we're out.

I'll look into the Henry, but apparently nothing rivals the Dyson for picking up animal hair. Maybe investing a bit in a vacuum cleaner would eliminate the need for one or more of my allergy/asthma meds...?

How did I manage to hijack poor JEllens thread and turn it into a discussion about vacuum cleaners? ,laugh>

Yes, appolosgise JEllen!

I think that if you or I got the Roomba it would act as a supplementary and not the main thing to clean the house.

A friend of ours had something similar to cut the grass ... that was great , but the grass had to be quite short and I'm not sure about rain ... it rains a lot here ... even more that Manchester!!