var items = new Array (new ImageMetaData('If your mom needs some quality alone time, hook her up with a kid-watching robot from Japanese robotics company Tmsuk. Currently deployed in a department store in Japan, this robot calls kids by name--after it scans badges they wear--and converses with them in simple robot-speak. They\'re not cheaper than a baby sitter but they won\'t ever leave you in the lurch on a Friday night. Bonus: They won\'t ever serve kids mac and cheese.','http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080508/080608-geekmom_GETTY-hmed-7p.jpg','9:59 p.m. ET, 5/8/08','Getty Images','Getty Images',24531777));