Tomy Dustbot out-Roombaed Roomba back in 1985

Posted by John Brownlee, January 22, 2009 3:31 AM | permalink

A chronic pipe smoker constantly belching forth pungent plumes of camel-scented latakia, char and greasy tobacco detritus, the only way my work desk stays clean is by the small armada of battery-powered toy robots who constantly whir away to Humbert's alarm, making sure my workspace does not become a sooty, carcinogenic metaphor for the inside of my lungs.

This, for me, is one of the best things about living in the 21st century... but robot vacuums are nothing new. Check out this awesome Tomy Dustbot from 1985. Not only did it have edge sensors, it even carries around its own dustpan and broom! Fuck you, Roomba!

Tomy Dustbot [The Old Robots]

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Discussion

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#1 posted by strider_mt2k

, January 22, 2009 4:32 AM

Who do you think you are, Zorg?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krcNIWPkNzA

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#2 posted by bibulb , January 22, 2009 10:28 AM

I was >-

But I should still see if I can bid on a Hootbot sometime.

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#3 posted by flipmytext , January 22, 2009 1:27 PM

This is gr8

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#4 posted by Anonymous , January 22, 2009 2:50 PM

I had one of these! I was five years old and it was awesome!

Sadly, I lost the dustpan almost immediately, and I seem to recall the vacuum worked about not-at-all.

I wish I knew where it was . . .

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#5 posted by WeightedCompanionCube , January 22, 2009 2:56 PM

I had that thing, along with Verbot (voice controlled via RF remote!)

Tomy made a few robots

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#6 posted by Anonymous , January 22, 2009 4:36 PM

I had one of these too. Mine had red arms and silver tools. It was one of my favorite xmas gifts, second only to the fireman's helmet with the revolving red light on top and "real siren sounds". Pretty sure both came from Radio Shack back when you could buy something besides a cell phone there.

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#7 posted by woid , January 22, 2009 6:03 PM

Your work desk is a chronic pipe smoker constantly belching forth pungent plumes of camel-scented latakia, char and greasy tobacco detritus?

You need a new work desk.

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#8 posted by Alli , January 22, 2009 6:25 PM

Oh my. I had one of those.

And now I have a Roomba. Coincidence?