Name: RoboMop x Hello Kitty
Category: "robotic" floor cleaner
Price: ¥5880
Release date in Japan: April 1, 2008 (March 1 at Tokyu Hands)

"Robot" is stretching things; a Roomba it's not. Nor is it a Japanese invention. Norwegian Torbjørn Aasen was inspired by a battery-powered rolling toy ball to create a really simple duster for hard floors: place a bowler-like "hat" over the ball with a dust-catching pad under the "brim", let the ball run crazily all over, and presto, clean(er) floor. There's no fancy brain in the patented RoboMop; the ball reverses or changes direction randomly upon hitting an obstacle, theoretically covering key spots throughout the room during a 30-to-90-minute run. But what it lacks in Roomba-like cleaning strategy it makes up for in a toy-like price: currently under $10 on Amazon.com in the US (sold as RoboMaid), versus a couple hundred bucks or more for various Roomba models.

What's new in Japan? The RoboMop x Hello Kitty "special collaboration" model sold by importer Daisaku Shoji. The sassy red "hat" and ball, sporting Kitty-chan designs in black, will zoom around a largish (12-jo) room in 30 minutes, for a power cost of under 1 yen. With a height of less than 9 cm, it'll sweep under any furniture with a little clearance. But while Daisaku Shoji touts the cleaner for tile, wood, or linoleum floors, there's no mention in the web page of performance on tatami mats. And the company sells a dull grey RoboMop for only ¥4980, so you pay ¥900 extra for Kitty. (I say it's worth it, to see her finally get a job.)

More info: http://www.robomop.jp/robomop_kitty.html (Japanese)

YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6VGlRccyBg (Japanese)