Chicago, Ill. (SEPTEMBER, 2002)—It's not science fiction, and it won't quite make housekeeping a thing of the past. But if you think a self-propelled vacuuming robot that automatically cleans every floor in your house sounds like a good idea, head for Hammacher Schlemmer, the company that's been offering the latest innovations that provide effective solutions to everyday problems for more than 150 years.

"The Roomba™ Self-Navigating Sweeper-Vac, made by iRobot Corporation, is the latest in a long line of innovative products we've offered to the marketplace over the years," said William Booth, president of Hammacher Schlemmer. "We have a decades-long history of introducing products that have revolutionized the American household-everything from the first Pop-Up Toaster to the first Flat-Panel TV. You might say that the Roomba is a descendant of another Hammacher Schlemmer 'first,' the Electric Broom, which we introduced in 1948."

Using intelligent navigation technology and powered by a rechargeable battery, Roomba™ navigates around walls, table legs, stairs and other obstacles and goes places most sweepers can't go-under coffee tables, pianos, and even beds. An internal "cliff detector" turns the sweeper around when it encounters a drop-off, like a step. Rotating brushes sweep the entire room thoroughly and automatically, and the built-in vacuum picks up the surface dirt and dust. It even turns itself off when it's done!

Because it can safely clean any household floor, including wood, tile, carpet, and linoleum, the Roomba is a boon to busy families. And, according to Fred Berns, Hammacher Schlemmer Vice President of Marketing, "it's especially useful for seniors and people with physical limitations because it cleans in hard-to-reach places without requiring back-bending physical exertion." He adds, "It does a great job of picking up cat and dog hair, too, and I think everyone with pets is going to want one."

Completely child- and pet-safe, the Roomba™ Self-Navigating Sweeper-Vac weighs just under seven pounds, stands 3 ½" high, and is completely portable and priced at only $199.95.

Founded in 1848, Hammacher Schlemmer is the oldest catalog company in America, with a well-deserved reputation for offering the best, the only, and the unexpected. The company continues its tradition of innovative offerings through its catalog, retail stores in New York and Chicago, and web site (www.hammacher.com).