"Blowfly" flying, buzzing alarm clock

Using pretty much the same concept as the hanging alarm clock that we brought you a while back, the "blowfly" concept clock forces users to get out of bed in order to disable the alarm. Unlike the hanging model though, which raises itself a little higher each time you hit snooze, the blowfly is actually a mini-copter that flies around the room emitting what is supposedly an annoying, mosquito-like buzzing. Artist/designer Ena Macana won third place for the project at this year's Taiwan International Design Competition, although unfortunately there are no indications that it will become commercially available. And remember, those of you who can't get out of bed no matter what can look into that inflatable pillow that breaks your spine if you don't wake up—some people need a little extra motivation.

[Via Yanko Design and Gadget Review]

[T_R_J @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

In a word: Stupid.

[Orwell84 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Does anyone else see this thing getting flung accross the room but me? I abuse my alarm when its sitting still, if it was buzzing around...yeah id smash it.

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

i dunno. i find it eccentric enough to be interesting. i wouldn't mind trying it out. my only worry is how high it may fly and how easily... defeated it is.

[Wampus @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Bzzz.... Swat! ... Splat!....

[DJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

That thing wont work. IF it even takes off, it'll just fall the ground or hit a wall then to the ground. Either that or fly out the window :)

I myself cannot see how some people can't wake up to just a normal alarm clock / radio / music.

[jfb3 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Sound dumb to me. Exactly how is a mosquito on the other side of the room supposed to wake me up?

[DG @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Well, I think that looks terrific. I need a challenge in the morning to get me going, if not a possible workout. Maybe the Blowfly will have different skill settings. Neat idea, and if the price is right, I'd be interested.

[Tricks @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

looks cool but what happens if it flys into another room if the doors is open

[RWD fan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Reminds me of the Jedi training thing Luke was "fencing" with in A New Hope onboard the MF.

[phooky @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Would it kill all these "artist/designer"s to take a single physics class? Just one? Slapping a propeller on top of something doesn't make it a helicopter any more than wearing a lion's skin makes you a lion. If you're going for a "conceptual model", you might as well just staple on pigeon wings.

[Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

not for use w/ ceiling fans

[Mike Street @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

how evil is that!

[DarkFader @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I use my DS to wake up. In the event I took a too short nap, I can set up three.

[Big G @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Look! it's the Golden Snitch!

[JavaDog @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I think they should team up with Warner Brothers and get this lics. as an official Harry Potter product. The 'Golden Snitch Alarm Clock' - perfect for those Potter fans to get them up for school! ;)

[Hugh Nano @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I need one of these!

[Mike Street @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

OMG #14!!! You are so right!!!! I'd love it, if it was a HP theme as well.

[Johny Gibson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I bet it flies at the perfect hight for my baseball bat.

[imcrazyim2 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

If they were to make HP themed one, I think a Bludger one would do a better job of waking you up. They could have the thing constantly beat you til you wake up.

[diem @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

someone please tell me where to buy this. I love it.

[imcrazyim2 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

If they were to make HP themed one, I think a Bludger one would do a better job of waking you up. They could have the thing constantly beat you til you wake up.

[Dustin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

I would just have to keep a baseball bat next to my bed.

[Joey @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

great idea, I always turn off the ring during the dream. using this, you even won't know where the clock is, nice!!

[Mr. Negative @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

User of this product is strongly advised to wear head protection. Not for use in areas with glass, mirrors or other breakable items. Ok, this thing takes off, it hits the ceiling fan, flies into a lamp, the lamp falls to the carpet, flames everywhere, Yeah I guess that WOULD wake you up. Thumbs down. If you can't wake up to a regular alarm clock, then you have problems that can't be fixed by any gadget. I think I'll start a business where I just go to people's houses and wake them up by any means I deem necessary. MO MONEY MO MONEY!!!

[Dario @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

My cats would kill it or it would kill my cats; either way, survival of the fittest

[The Tallman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

How perfect would it be if they constructed it to look like one of the spheres from PHANTASM and the alarm was...

"You play a good game boy... but the game is over... now you DIE!"

Or maybe that would be dumb.

Either way it would sell a little bit.

[noreal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Very creative!

[fans of macana @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

these thing is working alredy! there are lot of mechanisms, like these ufo http://www.firebox.com/index.html?dir=firebox&action=search&searchstring=ufo&Submit.x=11&Submit.y=15, it is alredy other made in taiwan that you get for 15 euros! and it is smaller mechanisms , and ,and...
then this used a heat sensor to keep enough close from the sleeper but other distance sensor that keep the blowfly far fromthe objects so never touch anything at all, except if you can catch it!
fantastic!!!!

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Alarm start buzzing...wake up and swat around for the snooze...catch it as its taking off...swat it into TV.

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Kinda reminds me of Clocky (look under Economics).

http://www.improbable.com/ig/ig-pastwinners.html#ig2005

[resource @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

So I was right, Engadget readers are also Harry Potter dorks.

I knew it.

Sirius!!! NO!!!!

[ena macana @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

> > > >FOR MORE INFO > > >

[e-mail]
WWW.ENAMACANA.COM

THE BLOWFLY ALARMCLOCK IS THE 3RD PRIZE OF 2005 TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION
http://www.tdc.org.tw/competition/index.html

[The ZeroCorpse @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

You know what all these alarm gadgets say to me? They say "Humans weren't meant to be jolted awake at 7:00 AM every day, and were instead meant to sleep until they're- well- DONE SLEEPING and wake up."

Just my point of view on this whole "9-to-5" thing. It's ridiculous that we do all our business from 9-5 and it's based on old-world ideals that didn't figure on things like electricity or light bulbs. We're living on pre-industrial revolution/pre-victorian farmer's schedules.

Same goes for the whole "daylight savings time" fiasco. It's archaic and unneccesary.

NOBODY likes being jolted awake to be at work at 9 AM. Nobody. So why do we do it if nobody wants to do it? Why can't we all decide that business starts at noon and just MAKE IT HAPPEN?

Seriously. This pre-victorian time schedule is stupid.

[crysalis @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

A buzzing sound? lol this would just lull me into deeper sleep. I require ear-splitting music to wake up. What a wasted effort.

[dave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

well, i'd buy one. you people are all too full of yourselves. how about a, "hey thats cool. i wouldnt use it, but it looks fun."

atleast she is fucking trying! ;)

[mistral @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

it looks like unuseful but maybe it could be a crazy gift idea...:)

but is it in commerce??where I could find it or similar???:)

[robert @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

je to moc dobr?ecicka n?

[addy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

please advise how I can buy this blowfly buzzing alarm clock. if you can advise, please let me know contact e-mail and tel No.

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 2:38AM]

Wow! Looks like a great gift! If anyone knows where I can get one, please email me! [e-mail]
Thanks guys!

[american ninja @ Dec 23rd 2005 7:14PM]

When is it for sale? I'm so buying one for my lazy ass brother.