vacuum

A robot vacuum for rednecks and Will Ferrell junkies

Here at Crave, we tend to be skeptical about creative vacuuming solutions. There was that "Buster" prototype, which looked like more of a way for kids to terrorize pets than for a house to get cleaned. And then there are the "chic" vacuums that look like lawn gnomes. And now here's the latest, thanks to BornRich: a remote-controlled vacuum shaped like a NASCAR race car. It even comes with audio features to make it sound like it's straight out of Talladega Nights. I admit, I may be too much of a yuppie to understand … Read more

Roomba meets Robocop

If the "Roomba" and "Scooba" had a parent--a morbidly obese one--it might well be this cleaning monster from Japan. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry named it the "2006 Robot of the Year" for its vacuuming prowess, which spanned "3,000 square meters in four hours on a single charge," according to Plastic Bamboo.

You won't find one of these behind the counter at Walgreen's, though: Co-creators Sumitomo and Fuji Heavy Industries put its cost at $170,000, for replacing the work of two full-time humans--and without coffee breaks. … Read more

Busting dust never looked so good

As fellow Craver Erica Ogg noted while wearing another of her many hats recently, domestic appliances are getting hipper than ever. And one of the more popular household items to get a makeover is the lowly vacuum cleaner. (No, we're not talking about the Wiimote-controlled Roomba.)

Industrial designer Karim Rashid has applied his considerable talents to transform the "Dirt Devil," of all things, into a cone-shaped functional sculpture, according to Popgadget. The tarted-up cordless appliance, which comes in six colors, has a vertical design to save space as well. If nothing else, it proves that a vacuum … Read more

Looking good while cleaning up

No, it's not a bionic dolphin. But we did consider opening a contest to see if anyone could guess what it was.

The latest offering from Italian design factory Alessi is actually a handheld vacuum cleaner. As typical of the work by the uber-design house, the "SG 67" shuns the utilitarian or mechanical forms of its competitors and opts instead for the sleek lines Alessi is famous for.

Luxurylaunches says the vacuum cleaner, which is made of stainless steel and thermoplastic resin, even has an "integrated crevice tool" to show that it's not afraid … Read more

Vacuum cleaner or Imperial Walker?

It's taken years of therapy to admit it, but we're unabashed fans of high-tech cleaning gadgets. So we were naturally drawn to this new handheld model from the vacuum maker that has achieved an almost cult-like status, Dyson.

The "Root 6" model is a dust-busting juggernaut that promises to be twice as powerful as its nearest competitors while recharging up to three times faster--two claims that are music to our obsessive-compulsive ears. Appropriate to its mission, it looks like a futuristic assault weapon: Gadget Candy says it resembles a Dr. Who prop circa 1982, but we … Read more

Meet Buster, the latest in cat-scaring household gadgets

I'm not a parent, so maybe I don't see the hidden appeal in this prototype known as "Buster," the kiddie ride-on snail who also vacuums the floor, as seen on Babygadget. Isn't this just asking for horrific cat-chasing incidents? A two-year-old on top of a vacuum is like a Roomba with a brain.

On the other hand, I totally think they should make a lawn mower version for grown-ups. If I had, you know, several acres to mow, I'd be psyched to do it if I got to ride on top of a big … Read more