Scour the Internet, and you'll find a number of intriguing appliances for sale. For instance, you can invest in everything from a power-washer to a quesadilla maker. While some homeowners love to purchase the latest high-tech gadget, others are quite reluctant to buy appliances, preferring to spend their money on video games, CDs, DVDs, and other modern conveniences.

One of the most interesting home appliances to come along is the Roomba—the housecleaning robot. The robot began its journey to the production line at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Artificial Intelligence lab. Later, a company called iRobot began production of this ingenious machine. The Roomba was developed to vacuum your house when you're busy doing something else.

In order to develop the Roomba, its inventors had to learn the physics of how dust collects and circulates. Since vacuum cleaners use significant amounts of electricity, the inventors had to come up with a low-power vacuum that would run on rechargeable batteries. The Roomba's designers even spent a night in a Target store in order to study how industrial cleaners function.

Ultimately, it took a dozen years to create the Roomba, which has the advantage of being quite compact—it's only five pounds, 10 ounces and 13.5 inches wide. The vacuum covers the floor in spirals, then follows the rug along a room's walls. When it has completed its mission, it ceases operation, beeps, then turns itself off.

There are numerous reasons to buy a Roomba. For instance, it may be the perfect cleaning appliance for an individual who is handicapped or elderly and doesn't have the strength necessary to push a regular vacuum cleaner. It can also be a wonderful mother's helper, saving time for busy mothers who would rather spend time reading to their toddlers than vacuuming the living room. At $199, the Roomba is also quite reasonably-priced—it may not cost anymore than a regular vacuum cleaner.

Another good reason to invest in a Roomba is because it appears to be the appliance of the future. A number of leading vacuum manufacturers are considering producing their own versions. Hoover, Electrolux, and Dyson are all working on their own vacuuming robots. As a result, in the year ahead, chances are you'll have little difficulty getting one of your Roomba's parts replaced, since the machine will be commonplace. If you like the idea of being at the head of the pack when it comes to home appliances, the Roomba may be perfect for you.

However, you should be aware of the fact that, while the Roomba is efficient, it is not a flawless piece of machinery. Because of the way it is shaped, it cannot really fit into corners, and it can also become lodged underneath a sofa. Also, you have to make sure that you clear the floor of any large objects before you commission the Roomba to start its routine. Still, despite some minor flaws, the Roomba is well worth the investment. With the time you save cleaning, you can devote yourself to the home improvement projects that really matter to you.