Roomba 530 Wall-E edition proves even robots are corrupted by money

It's 2008 and we've finally achieved the ultimate goal of modern robotics. No, not singularity... better: a cross-promotional marketing deal between the world's leading robots. Meet the Wall-E edition of iRobot's Roomba 530. The special edition Roomba is just like the original 530 only with the addition of that magnificent sticker for a extra ¥5,000 (about $50) premium. 400 units of the limited run vacuumbots are scheduled to go on sale in Japan for ¥,84,500 (tax inclusive) starting November 20th. Tsk tsk, what's Eve going to say?

[Jeff @ Nov 10th 2008 5:22AM]

Does it make those annoying WALL.E sounds?

[rhkarma @ Nov 10th 2008 5:26AM]

From the look of that image, you would be paying $50 for a decal.

[Ayman @ Nov 10th 2008 5:30AM]

Hmm.. so its an "iRobot" from hoover that has a "wall.e" edition...

throw in a terminator design and a Skynet uplink and i would consider buying a couple

[dmox @ Nov 10th 2008 6:04AM]

Was I the only one who read this as "Roomba: Wall Edition" on first glance? I do need something to clean those pesky walls...

[MikeWard1701 @ Nov 10th 2008 8:00AM]

A wall and ceiling cleaner, now that would be cool to watch!

[Homer @ Nov 10th 2008 5:54AM]

Man i love that movie.

[dervheid @ Nov 10th 2008 6:39AM]

Why?


Just, "Why?"

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 10th 2008 8:45AM]

Yay...stickers. :|

[htd @ Nov 10th 2008 9:33AM]

is there an eva edition sticker?

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 10th 2008 11:34AM]

Yeah, it's stupid, but are the people that actually buy robotic vacuum cleaners going to care that much about an additional $50 to make their gimmicky purchase that much more of a gimmicky purchase, methinks not.

[cromas @ Nov 10th 2008 3:05PM]

Mix that with Japan's delusion that things that cost more are automatically better...and you have a recipe for success.

[james @ Nov 10th 2008 4:12PM]

You obviously haven't used one. I was skeptical, but finally bought a Roomba last year after two techie friends were raving about theirs. I love it, it runs automatically every day while I'm at work then returns itself to the charger base. I'm always shocked by the amount of cat hair and other crud it picks up and need to empty the dust bin practically every day. A month later I bought a second one for upstairs. My house looks and feels cleaner all the time and I don't have to vacuum, a chore that for whatever reason, rational or not, I hate.

No way I'd pay extra for a decal, but the Roomba is the greatest thing since sliced bread, it's better in fact, I'd rather slice my own bread than vacuum my house. You can get the old style Roomba Scheduler for ~$150 reconditioned if you look around, works nearly as well as the much more expensive newer models.

[DasMess @ Nov 10th 2008 3:53PM]

Screw this thing, wheres my MO? Stupid future.. No flying cars, and I can't even get a cute robot to obsessivly clean things..