BuffUp Bots by Cris Rose (Buff Monster-customs)

Folks who know of Cris Rose [works tagged on TRE] might also know he's a huge-fan of Buff Monster's creations (if you didn't, now you do!). And for the coming week ahead, the UK-based customizer and toy designer will be rolling out a series of "BuffUp Bots" (5 minis + a regular) - available via Cris' online store - on sale Tuesday July 28 @ 18:00 London time.

I'd also advice you to follow Cris' twitter @ twitter.com/crisr for quick-alerts (and timely reminders). Remember, these are 1-of-1 editions, yeh? So don't nap!

UPDATE: CLICK THRU for full customs-preview, including the story of BuffUp Bots! BuffUp Bots = Designed to Clean, Enjoys Dirt!


[9 x Images for Cris Rose's custom BuffUp Bots / via Cris' flickr]
BUFFUP-BOTS STORY: One of the most notorious robot recalls in the company's history, was the BuffUp Bots. Sold as domestic cleaning robots, these cheeky chaps would hover around, hoovering up dirt and polishing away dust, all with a chirpy, cute disposition. The pet project of one of the stockholder's sons, the line was meant to give the company a younger, more fun feel. After many months of focus groups and questionnaires, the bots were programmed with the personality of a slightly mischievous puppy, unanimously agreed to be the most "fun" and "adorable". This was also felt to compliment their appearance, as most models had electrostatic cones on their heads to attract dust, but that focus groups said were little horns. With the final addition of cute faces, they were ready to roll and became hugely popular... only the personality program was too accurate...

Within 3 months, a class action lawsuit had been brought against the company. Disastrously, these playful bots had been given the personality profile of a male puppy, leading them to regularly burst in on half-dressed women or ladies in showers and promptly try to hump their legs. If one ever went missing, it was a well known fact that they'd be found in your underwear drawer. People just got sick of them running across the room during dinner parties, having stolen their "martial aids" >.<

After making history with the first robot sexual harassment case, the company settled out of court and the products were recalled. Sales in the line during the case actually went up however and many refused to return them. They'd become a huge hit with students and bachelors who kept them as pets and commanded huge premiums on the second hand market.