LaCie is to release a USB Flash drive that can withstand being run over by a ten-ton truck.

The XtremKey comes inside a metal pipe, the walls of which are 2mm thick, and made from a zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper alloy called zamac. The pipe is sealed with an O-ring and wear-resistant screw threads.

LaCie claimed the tube's tough enough to resist 5m drops, function in temperatures between -50°C and 200°C, and be watertight at depths down to 100m.

All of which is more than you can say for any computer you're likely to connect the thing to.

The XtremKey is around 75mm long, has a USB 2.0 interface and comes with 8GB to 64GB of storage capacity.

A weird aspect of its planned appeal is that it wobbles on the desk because it is designed that way - LacIe says it has a "playful personality".

The XtremKey goes on sale in August. Prices start at $50 (£33). ®