Lullabub Cot Rocker

Today's young Asian parents probably have only a vague recollection of the ceiling-hooked sarong cradle to rock babies to sleep. These days there are even motorized versions out there. However, the sarong cradle has gotten bad rep due to risks of infants falling out of their hammock or being suffocated to death. With a crib endorsed as the best bed for junior, now all that's needed is to get it to rock the wee bairn to sleep. Help is fortunately on the way with Australian company Babyhugs' Lullabub, four remote-controlled modules that you place under each leg of the cot. The gizmo is said to emulate the suspension in a car and comes with an automatic timer so it can be programmed to shut off after some time. At the very least, this should ensure some time off for the exhausted parents and/or maid.

Click for bigger images here

Via CNET News.com

Price: N.A.
Availability: Late 2005, online purchase at Lullabub
Device: Automatic cot rocker
Basic specs: Four preset settings, automatic timer setting, remote control, night light, fits most new and used cots, independent suspension, emulates a car ride

Nanotech golf ball

Step aside, Tiger Woods. The playing field may soon be levelled, thanks to a golf ball that's getting a new spin from nanotechnology. Startup NanoDynamics aims to putt along a ball that's nano enhanced to adjust for wobble or slight drift and to correct its own flight path. The result is a ball that flies truer and straighter than your conventional version. Hopefully, such high-tech prowess doesn't take the game out of this ball game.

Price: US$7-$8 per ball
Availability: Late 2005, see NanoDynamics
Device: Golf ball
Basic specs: N.A.

Doraemon Robot

It makes sense that a blue-skinned robocat from the future would eventually have a robot self out there in the real world. Like Pinocchio, toy maker Bandai has imbued the gadget cat with life, though with the aid of high-tech wizardry. Thanks to voice recognition, this earless feline can interact with humans, in Japanese that is. Sensors also alert Xiao Ding Dang so that when someone hits it on the head, it'll yelp "hey, that hurts". Or when stroked, it'll say "if you're going to stroke me I wouldn't mind a bean-jam pancake as well". Fans will likely be pleased that Bandai has worked in the little detail of Doraemon's magic belly pouch, so you can actually hide small articles in it. And like Sony's Aibo dog, Xiao Ding Dang also responds to special cards read via infrared, which will prompt it to dance and sing. It's hard to feel blue when this kawaii cat with the giant smile is around.

More Doraemon collectibles: Doraemon J300i for Asia | Doraemon Helicopter | See feature parts of robot here

Price: 20,790 yen (US$183)
Availability: Only 5,000 units for sale this year; osamanoidea.com
Device: Robot
Basic specs: Recognizes about 750 spoken words and nine human words including "Doraemon", "Let's play", and "Mouse", 10 types of light and inclination sensors, 26.5cm tall, 1.3kg

Remote Control Padlock

Everything's going wireless these days, including the humble padlock. So if you're tired of digging out those keys, the Remote Control Padlock conveniently works in tandem with a keychain remote. All you have to do is point, hit the button, and voila. For those distrustful of anything wireless, this gizmo claims to have four billion rolling security codes to prevent accidental opening by others. And just in case the remote runs out of battery juice, there's a backup key lying around somewhere.

Click for bigger image here

Via Red Ferret

Price: US$17.98
Availability: Check out the Web site
Device: Wireless padlock
Basic specs: Uses 2 AAA batteries, remote uses one button battery supplied, spare key for padlock, red LED mini flashlight on remote, 8ft range, 4 billion rolling security codes, 2.5 x 3.25 x 1.25 inches

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