Ten... tech treats for mum

H2O water-powered radio

You'll need to factor in the cost of plumbing this boy in, but once hooked up to your ma's bathroom tubing, it'll give her as much music and chat as she likes during a shower.

The clever FM tuner is driven by a tiny generator turned by a waterwheel within the device. So whatever your radio tastes, you can tune in for free. There's a built-in rechargeable battery that's topped up every time the H2O gets used, so she can carry on listening while drying.

iRobot Roomba 581 robot carpet sweeper

Of course dad should be helping out, but, let's be honest, it's usually mum who gets lumbered with keeping the place tidy. Give her a helping hand with the Roomba 581, a stumpy cylinder of a gadget that hums around the room, avoiding the furniture, cables and the cat, and all the while brushing up dust and debris into its cavernous interior.

It'll bimble around the room it's set down in, or you can define areas of coverage using the three bundled beacons to guide it.

And the good thing is, it actually works. Its battery gives it the power to do four rooms for you.