vacuum
While a cranky Roomba can make a terrible mess, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we should never allow robots into our homes–only that we probably ought to be careful about how much we trust them. For example, letting them vacuum your floor seems reasonable, but relying on a vacuum bot to wake you up might not be such a great idea. And giving your vacuum bot a cute anime voice and something resembling a personality? That’s how humans end up extinct!
But apparently Sharp needs to watch more Terminator films, because that is exactly the kind of vacuuming robot they’ve created!
2015 is only a few months away, and while we’re still nowhere near getting the hoverboards from Back to the Future Part II, we do, at the very least, have robots to do our house chores for us! It’s such an exciting new frontier for housework that someone even made a robot vacuum simulator! While you might still have to make your own dinner, at least you can always drop your onion skins on the floor without worry, knowing your little automated vacuum buddy will clean up after you.
It’s like we really are living in the future! Unfortunately, while our robot vacuums may be automated, it turns out that they’re not much smarter than a pile of rocks, as one shocked Japanese Twitter user recently discovered.
When robot vacuum cleaners first hit the scene about a decade ago, they appeared to signal the end of lugging around traditional upright models. However, with a pretty hefty price tag and comparatively limited cleaning ability, they haven’t exactly caught the world on fire.
Seeing this, Sharp has developed a robot vacuum cleaner destined to light a fire under consumers: ladies and gentlemen, meet COCOROBO (also affectionately known as, RX-V100W). So what makes COCOROBO so great? Well, for starters, it’s remote-controlled and able to talk with people.
MOST POPULAR
Today
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Weekly
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions- Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
- 99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Monthly
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir- Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
- Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
- Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country- New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Cup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
“We want to be Japan’s best cheap restaurant” says new (but also not new) Akihabara noodle joint
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Tokyo subway and almost all Tokyo train lines now accepting credit card tap payments
Sanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
-
