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This iron has legs

Leslie Katz Former Culture Editor
Leslie Katz led a team that explored the intersection of tech and culture, plus all manner of awe-inspiring science, from space to AI and archaeology. When she's not smithing words, she's probably playing online word games, tending to her garden or referring to herself in the third person.
Credentials
  • Third place film critic, 2021 LA Press Club National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards
Leslie Katz

Ever gotten distracted while ironing? You rush off to answer a phone call or get the door, leave the heated iron on your fancy linen shirt and come back to find an iron-shaped imprint on your garb. Not a good look.

Oliso has come up with a workaround for easily distracted iron wielders--the Touch&Glide, which automatically stands up on built-in legs as soon as it senses a user's hand releasing the handle. Grasp the arm again and digital sensors feel the pressure and command a micro-motor to pull the iron back down onto the ironing board. An auto shut-off feature turns the device off if it's plugged in but not being used.

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Credit: Oliso

The company also touts the iron as ergonically sensible: Since it stays in a horizontal position, users don't have to strain their wrists or elbows by constantly lifting the product into a vertical stance between ironing strokes.

The Touch&Glide, released on Friday, is currently available online for $117, as well as on the Home Shopping Network. It's set to hit department stores in mid-September.