14 DAY TRIAL // Lots of robot ideas have been cropping up, but few of them have actually won the backing of companies with money.
Sharp decided to come up with one of its own: the Cocorobo TX-V100, whose name does a wonderful job of not hinting at its purpose in the slightest.
Fortunately, you have us to tell you what Sharp intends for it to be: the Cocorobo is a talking vacuum cleaner.
That's right, this little disk will wheel its way around the house while responding to your speech (“I understand” it says, among other things).
Infrared sensors help it avoid smashing into furniture, while a camera lets you view your floor from the Cocorobo's “eyes”. From your cellphone. Even when you're not home.
No price yet, but sales will start in June, in Japan anyway, so the tag will be revealed soon enough.