These Flying Robots Could Someday Clean Your House

If you've ever wished your house would automatically clean itself, so you could get a little free time — you're not alone. An industrial-design student in Colombia has conceptualized an automated cleaning system in which flying robots would do all the dirty work.

Designer Adrian Perez Zapata came up with "Mab," which harnesses hundreds of mini-robots equipped with a cleaning solution to tidy up homes. Zapata, 23, is among 20 semifinalists in the 2013 Electrolux Design Lab competition. This year's theme is "inspired urban living," so undergraduate- and graduate-student participants can submit design solutions in the categories of social cooking, natural air and effortless cleaning. Read more...