Australian engineering students create robot couch, help move humans closer to peak laziness

Australian engineering students create robot couch, help move humans closer to peak laziness
(Image credit: Screenshot/CNET.com)

Where was this miraculous invention when I was watching last night's NFL season opener from my (very stationary) couch?

A group of engineering students at Australia's University of New South Wales have spent the last year creating a "robocouch" that will spin you around to your heart's content (presumably, to the fridge and then back to a spot in front of the television). This majestic robotic couch is tricked out: It boasts "mecum wheels instead of legs," can reach speeds up to nearly 10 miles per hour, and the whole thing is controlled via a Raspberry Pi computer embedded into the armrest.

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Alas, even if you have $2,802 lying around and are totally fine bumping into walls on your kitchen quest, you can't purchase the couch just yet. But check out CNET's video below, and dream of a future in which your Sunday football refills are just a couch ride away. --Sarah Eberspacher

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.