The USB-powered hamster wheel

If your office isn't quite overrun with newfangled USB-powered devices, well, maybe it should be. Joining the staggeringly-long list of lava lamps, seat coolers, deco lights, and other curious adornments, the USB hamster wheel is yet another incredibly novel way to make a spare USB port feel appreciated. Although most of these gizmos distract you (and your co-workers) from meeting those deadlines, this rodent could very well assist in boosting your productivity level. After the little guy's software is loaded up and he's all plugged in, just start typing to see his wee legs start to move. The quicker you type, the quicker he scurries, and we assume you don't even have to type actual words to get that wheel a-spinnin'; if an alarming stream of smoke begins to form, you can let the critter cool off by just flipping the on / off switch. Oddly enough, this USB-powered device still requires a couple AA batteries to operate, but if you need an alternate form of motivation to get you going each morning, the hamster wheel is available now for £24.95 ($47).

[Via Uber-Review]

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 4th 2006 11:13AM]

Bummer.
I was kinda hoping for the alarming stream of smoke.
Perhaps with modification that could be useful for at a couple of the LAN parties I've been to.

Pizza's on me fellas.

Pizza's on me.

[telepheedian @ Oct 4th 2006 11:17AM]

I wonder if this would respond to stepmania...

(pulls out Quasar stepchart)

[andrew @ Oct 4th 2006 11:27AM]

bit old maybe? I got this as an xmas pressie last year from M&S in the uk. But its STILL a talking point in the office as its so, well, apt !

[theFuzzyWarble @ Oct 4th 2006 11:29AM]

Is this the same wheel?!
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=1569125216323959688

[John @ Oct 4th 2006 11:32AM]

I was hoping it was a hamster powered wheel to run my usb powered fan...

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 4th 2006 11:39AM]

"Ezekiel saw the wheel...
This is the wheel he says he saw."

[steveg @ Oct 4th 2006 12:13PM]

I would want the wheel to spin on CPU useage, not WPN, that way I could easily tell how pegged my box is, by checking how fast the little guy is running.

[Michael @ Oct 4th 2006 12:14PM]

This is too cute. I know what I"m buying my girlfriend for Christmas now. Thanks, Engadget!

(maybe I'll buy one for myself to make it smoke. O.o;)

[Alex @ Oct 4th 2006 12:49PM]

It's not USB powered. It needs 2 AA batteries (included) to operate. The only reason for the USB is that when you type on your keyboard, the wheel moves.

[Jimmy @ Oct 4th 2006 12:52PM]

This would be more usefull if it was a hamster wheel that charged my laptop.

[Tony Rayo @ Oct 4th 2006 1:15PM]

I prefer hampster-powered hampster wheels myself... esp. when they can recharge my USB gear. *plans on making a visit to the local animal shelter shortly*

- Tony R.

[Steve Jobs @ Oct 4th 2006 1:38PM]

iHampster! The perfect accessory to your iPod! The faster the hampster runs, the faster your iPod charges! Free mini-cow-prodder included!

[Matt @ Oct 4th 2006 7:34PM]

Wait, this is backwards, should the hamster run in the wheel an provide power TO your computer? A few hundred of these things hooked to some USB hubs and you wouldn't have to plug your computer into the wall.

[Stephen Yuan @ Oct 5th 2006 12:49AM]

Maybe we should just get rid of power outlets...

[Wuju @ Oct 5th 2006 4:08PM]

Why is the hamster being held in someone's hand? Or am I the only who's noticed that it has fingers for legs?

[Joe @ Oct 8th 2006 7:06PM]

weird but awesome!

[Richard @ Oct 8th 2006 7:54PM]

at first glance it looked like a high tech exercise for my real hamster-drat!I guess I'm going to have to think harder about what to get Clyde for Christmas..oh well