Gizmodo: laziness

New Robots Forced to Perform Mankind's Dullest Tasks

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:45:00 EDT

Having seen the benefits of the Roomba, both MIT and Electric Machine Works Japan have created droids to do our dirty work. These robots are designed to make us pale, lazy, and well-read.

The Book Time, from Electric Machine Works in Japan, is more on the silly side, but I'm embarrassed to say I've been waiting for a machine with this functionality. This guy turns the pages of books at the push of a button, so you can stay flopped on your side and still expand your mind without having to expend even the tiniest bit of energy it takes to flip a small piece of paper. Its creators are hoping it'll find a home in libraries or retirement communities. They've somehow overlooked my incredible laziness.

MIT's networked gardening robot, pictured above, was the first step towards Wall-E style computer takeover, leading to a planet full of lazy slobs. Don't give in, readers. Turn your own pages. Or buy a Kindle, whatever. [AP and New Launches, photo by AP]

Treadmill Bed Sends Mixed Signals to the Morbidly Obese

Adam Frucci — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:30:00 EDT

This handy invention is a combination of a treadmill and a bed. It automatically props your fat ass up and puts your feet on a treadmill. Apparently, you can exercise this way. Wait, what?

Call me crazy, but moving your feet while sitting down isn't a form of exercise. It certainly isn't jogging. If you're sitting on a bed, you aren't going to get much aerobic exercise. I'm no doctor, but if you're so morbidly obsese that you can't stand up and walk around, you're beyond this thing's help. And if you're just lazy and want a way to "exercise" while still drinking milkshakes and watching Gossip Girl in your living room, well, you are also beyond this thing's help, albeit for other reasons. [MedLaunches via Gadget Lab]

S(tool) Turns Garden Fork into Garden Chair

Benny Goldman — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:10:00 EST

It's been a long summer day tending the garden and you need to sit down, but there is no chair in sight. If only you were using the S(tool), then you wouldn't have to worry about finding one. Designed by Langton Stead, the S(tool) is a bent wood handle with two garden forks on either side. All you have to do is shove them into your lawn, and BAM!, instant chair. The perfect gift for the laziest green thumb you know, it's available directly from the designer, though no word on price. [Langton Stead via productdose]

'Abdominal Etching' Provides a Six-Pack Without the Exercise

Adam Frucci — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST

Do you want a hot set of washboard abs to impress the ladies with? Are you also much too lazy to actually do the sit-ups required to get them naturally? Good news, America! You can get "abdominal etching" done, a form of plastic surgery that gives you a six-pack without the work. For a mere $4,000 to $7,000 you too can have an awkward combo of manboobs and a six-pack to confuse and perhaps titillate the ladies. Stay tuned for a review of the procedure by our very own Jason Chen, God willing. [WSJ via Neatorama]

Rocket Fishing Rod: If You're Too Lazy to Fish Properly

Adam Frucci — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:50:00 EST

Fishing is supposed to be relaxing, dammit. Sure, sitting on a boat in the sun drinking beer with your buddies is relaxing, but what about the whole casting motion? You call that relaxing?! I need to actually move my arm and exert some energy, which I am not a fan of. What I need is this Rocket Fishing Rod, which launches the hook, line, and float via a handheld compression unit.

Now all I need is a way to get that Bud tallboy to my lips without moving my arm and I can really relax. Boy howdy! –Adam Frucci

Product Page [via Red Ferret]

Remote Control Lawn Mower

Travis Hudson — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 09:30:53 EDT

Baby steps are the name of the game with this lawn mower. Behold the Remote Control Lawn Mower 2006 S-Class. All standard lawn mowing components are involved except the tag-a-long human guide. This lawn mower uses an FM radio remote control and even a wireless electric starter. If you recall back in the olden days remote controlled anything is hard to control. So regardless, being outside with the lawn mower guiding from different angles in the heat is a must. I would really like to see RFID sensors integrated into the soil to communicate with the lawn mower to ensure parallel and even mowing without any human control at all. Hooray for robots, laziness is awesome!

Remote Control Lawn Mower [GadgetryBlog]