Many years ago in an outback Queensland mining town where people could afford and, like most Aussies, embrace new technology, we had a great laugh with some neighbours when they told us about their new front loading washing machine. 

Now unlike ordinary top loaders where once the lid is closed and the little swith engaged, the machine secretly goes about the task of washing and spinning the clothes without letting you know anything about how it does it, the front loader opens up a whole new avenue of family entertainment. It has a lovely round window that shows you the process. They told us how the whole tribe gathered around the new wonder and forsaking the regular TV programs, sat around for a full cycle watching what had apparently been a mystery to them all. Thinking back, that was pretty funny but now we have been subjected to the same wonder and awe as a bit of technology that has been around for many years now and considered as a bit of a gimmick by most, has been adopted into our household. We had purchased our new home some 12 months ago and except for the bedrooms, the floors are predominately polished timber or vinyl. We're not sure where the dust comes from but it seems as if we have a regular home delivery on a daily basis. Now sweeping, vacuuming or swishing works but as many can attest to, if you suffer from backache it becomes a tedious and painful chore. My wife recently hurt her back and as we are both afflicted with the same symtoms I suggested we might look into a robot cleaner. A lot of research later and after visiting some local suppliers, Hermie came to live with us. She had been a display unit and had a couple of little marks on her but he was selling at half price with a 2 year warranty. Talk about being entertained by a washing machine! AFter fully charging her we sent her on her way with a touch of the remote control. 

"Getting current position" she announced with a lovely pirouette before engaging her two forward mounted rotating brushes.

With that she took off in what at first appeared a random direction before slowing down at a wall, executing a right hand turn, progressing about 30cm, performing another right hand turn and then heading back the way she had come albeit slightly to the left of the first track. Twas then that we realized that we were standing around watching a vacuum cleaner going about its duty. And, we hardly stopped looking until she had successfully navigated our whole house except for where doors were closed.

"Cleaning completed" she said. "Searching for charging station" she uttered before trundling off to dock herself onto the charging base.

On another occasion she managed to get stuck on a small coffee table. On being picked up and placed away from the offending bit of furniture she was heard to say something like; "Repositioning! Stand clear of the robot!" 

It's been a week or two now, the initial novelty starting to wear off but my wife did mention that when she came out of one room while Hermie was whizzing along that she expected it to come running up for a pat! Oh, and the name? She looks like a hermit crab. Must get some of those goggle eyes and glue them on to her. Maybe some nippers and .....Nahh