* * * * * I for one welcome our new robotic babysitters … > Although it's fine at sucking up dirt, finding its way around the room and > returning to its charging station, its real achievement is in not only > getting the children to clean up their toys first but also tiring them out > before bed. > > This works with three magic phrases: > > 1. “Roomba's coming out tonight. Clean up your toys or Roomba will eat > them!” > 2. “If you can clean them up fast you can stay up to watch Roomba!” > 3. “Here goes Roomba. Don't let him touch you!” > “Robot Child-herders [1]” Hmmm … [1] http://longtail.typepad.com/the_long_tail/2005/05/robot_childherd.html Email Sean Conner at sean@conman.org .