Hi Jack and Max
The problem arose with (in my opinion) well before the 80s. It is a shame quality products are few and far between, and even if you do pay a premium for a good name, it is normally as bad if not worse than the cheap off-brand equivalent
That robo mower is almost as bad as those american victa hurricane and thunders - except more expensive and useless
Have to admit I do like the robotic vacuum cleaner - especially considering I bought it for $30 and only needed $5 of consumable bits to get it working perfectly. But, it does not replace the dyson, and anyone foolish enough to think it would deserves to be conned.
It allows more time to do other important things (like lawn)
During lockdown, I would have wrung the neck of the next yuppie I heard bemoaning being bored around the house.
