We find home automation a really interesting use of gadgets, so we’ve dedicated this section of coolest gadgets to all the interesting products that can be used in home automation systems.
Following the success of the Roomba robotic vaccum and the Scooba robotic floor cleaner, iRobot announced two new roboGadgets at this year’s Digital Life convention. One can be considered a Godsend for dads who are mired in the fall ritual of cleaning out the drain gutters on the roof, while the second is an ideal option for those who find themselves traveling a lot on business and want to check in at home.
It just seemed a given that with the Roomba, the Scooba, and the Dirt Dog, iRobot would eventually come out with a robotic lawn mower. And they still might, but they won’t be first.
That singular distinction goes to the Husqvarna Automower which can mow in a random patter and is corralled by a perimeter wire to keep it mowing your lawn and not your neighbor’s. Capable of mowing up to half an acre at a stretch, it’s large wheels allow the Automower to run on uneven lawns and handle inclines of up to approximately 35%. Built in bump sensors also allow it to move around trees, rose bushes, and anything else cluttering up the yard. What’s cool is that the clippings are mulched and reintroduced into the lawn to help keep it healthy.
There are some of us who prefer to end the day by finishing up a chapter of a good book, and it makes perfect sense to do so in bed. Unfortunately, if you happen to have a partner sleeping in the same bed, the lighting used to read that book could prove particularly distracting. Why not pick up the Wireless OverBed Dual LED Lamp? Here’s more on this battery-operated lighting:
This cordless over-the-bed dual lamp offers individual, dimmable light to either person in bed, so one can read without disturbing the other. Each lamp slides along a 36″ track and adjusts side-to-side, while each lamp head swivels to shine right where the light is needed. Additionally, there are no cords and wires like other over-the-bed lighting. Each lamp slides along the track, adjusts from side to side and swivels to shine light where it is needed. Each LED lamp also has its own on/off switch and is dimmable. These attributes make this lamp perfect to avoid disturbing your partner sleeping right next to you while you read or work.
You can mount up to a couple of these at any one time. Installation is virtually dummy-proof - as long as you can hang a picture, hanging this up shouldn’t be a problem. It retails for $79.95 each.
If you’ve been suffering from back aches for some time now and have tried all sorts of treatment to no avail, perhaps the Gentle Return Inversion Machine might help.
This is the cushioned bench that gently stretches your back in less than two minutes using only gravity to help relieve strain on the spine and vertebrae after a long day of sitting or standing. With regular use, the bench decreases spinal compression that naturally occurs during the day and it helps relieve disk and nerve root pressure, as well as cervical tension that can lead to pinched nerves and headaches. The gradual stretching effect of lying on the bench also helps muscles relax. It has a powder-coated 15-gage steel frame with foam-padded half-circle handlebars that are easy to reach from any inversion angle, allowing you to return to an upright position.
It fits heights ranging from 4′4″ to 6′6″ and can support a maximum weight of 250 lbs. You can pick one up for your home for $299.95.
What would you say to a wristwatch that comes with a touchscreen interface and the ability to control your TV as well as DVD player via infrared? The thought is impressive, and is now available in the flesh for your channel surfing pleasure. Well, the buttons are exceptionally small to say the least, so thank goodness the touchscreen controls were used instead. Now it is exactly devices such as this that makes the Gesture Watch an boon. In addition, this timepiece comes with a backlit LCD panel, calendar, and alarm functions. If you’re looking for something cheap yet functional, you can’t really go wrong with this $6.24 timepiece from China.
Looks like the Nintendo Wii has certainly sparked a revolution in more than just gaming. While most people have dismissed it as a mere gimmick, the Wii has stayed at the top of sales charts every week in Japan when it comes to home consoles, and consistently posing a fair challenge to the Xbox 360 in America. Part of the appeal would definitely be the “gimmicky” Wiimote that is often talked about, enabling casual or new gamers to pick up gaming and be of some good without having any prior experience. Australian scientists have taken this idea and came up a device which enables TV viewers to change channels, turn on the DVD player, or even turn off the TV with a simple hand gesture.
Water waste is rather common in your average household. Water running while brushing teeth, water running while washing hands, water running just to get the cold water out of the way to get to the hotter water in a bath tub. And all that wasted water is money down the drain. So when a sub-fifty dollar gadget that can reduce water bills by up to 70% arrives on the scene, it can be very attractive addition to the home.
Last year we featured it, but with Summer heating up and water bills on the rise, we thought it was a good time to reintroduce the EZ Touchless Infrared Sensor Faucet. Attaching to your kitchen or bathroom sink, this gadget relies on Point-N-Lock technology which allows infrared sensors to detect movement as hands reach under it. This turns turns the water on and off automatically.
Polish design students have come up with a truly revolutionary design for the humble wheelchair. It looks like a pretty mean machine of war, and is driven by muscular force. The addition of a gyroscope mounted just below the seat enables the wheelchair to remain vertical on just two wheels (sorta like a seated Segway). These wheels measure 26″ in diameter, making them larger than those found on my car. Looks pretty neat - now the world will just have to wait for a working version to be released.
Source: Medgadget
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