Who knew the robotic vacuum Roomba could do so much? In addition to automatically cleaning floors and
killing kittens, the Roomba vacuum can also be used to play an elaborate version of
Pac-Man. Developed by Jack Elston, Cory Dixon and Maciej Stachura,
Roomba Pac-Man is meant to demonstrate the team's "Unmanned Aerial System software suite." It also effectively demonstrates that the three might have just a little
too much free time on their hands.
This is definitely an ingenious take on the classic arcade game. How often can you play a game that makes your room
cleaner? Until Activision releases
Broom Hero, the answer is "not very."
[Via
Engadget]
{ Nov 11th 2009 at 4:30AM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Moris @ Nov 11th 2009 4:40AM
Awesome! :) Cleaning made fun haha
Espiownage @ Nov 11th 2009 4:47AM
you mean cleaning made complicated
MystileArmor @ Nov 11th 2009 5:03AM
Cleaning made fun is hiring a sexy maid and watch her clean.
Brysonial the Bison @ Nov 11th 2009 12:50PM
That was tres awesome! :P
Orchard Pear @ Nov 11th 2009 4:59AM
Too much time on my hands, it's ticking away with my sanity
I've got too much time on my hands, it's hard to believe such a calamity
I've got too much time on my hands and it's ticking away from me
Too much time on my hands, too much time on my hands
Too much time on my hands
JeezWhiz87 @ Nov 11th 2009 5:48AM
This video sucks.
JeezWhiz87 @ Nov 11th 2009 9:48AM
You guys have no sense of humor.
Nudge Nudge, they're Vacuums. Get it?
CJLopez @ Nov 11th 2009 11:02AM
looks like not everyone can understand this amazing pun
pibs @ Nov 11th 2009 6:32AM
Broom Hero sucks! Everyone knows Swiffer: Rock Band is better...
Please don't give Activision anymore ideas, a dual shock broom stick sounds like a horrifying peripheral.
Marek Hryc @ Nov 11th 2009 9:45AM
I just love how he wrote, "until activision releases..." and not "unless".
Spike (GT: SitriStahl) @ Nov 11th 2009 7:34AM
now when do people remake halo with robot vaccums?
Level 5 @ Nov 11th 2009 7:43AM
I dig it, Linux-based LULZ.
green11420 @ Nov 11th 2009 8:40AM
I can't believe this hasn't been done before! LOL Very nice!
Jesse @ Nov 11th 2009 9:06AM
I wouldn't say they have too much time on their hands. I've done similar projects for school with a similar concept. It was a proof of concept which was not only used to land an A in the class, but land some grant money to see if we could take it to the next level.
They obviously wanted to demo some software they thought had some potential and this added the "awwww" factor by using a game most are familiar with. Great marketing and I really hope they too get to spend more time developing something they think will be the next big thing in robotics technology!
LaughingTarget @ Nov 11th 2009 9:21AM
I feel bad for them. They'll either have to cut out a ton of small paper squares every time they do this or have to pick out all the gross fuzzy things from the Roomba catch.
Rhamsey @ Nov 11th 2009 9:24AM
Short videos like these just make my day that much better.
Orion @ Nov 11th 2009 10:06AM
The kittens video was better than the pac man video hahaha.
Maverick Saturn (Igor) @ Nov 11th 2009 10:54AM
I still hate hoovering :D
Matt @ Nov 12th 2009 9:34AM
If I remember, there was a Penny Arcade strip about this. RPG house cleaning, I think.
Ah yes: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/07/20/