Any allergy sufferer can tell you that pollen is the bane of their existence during the spring months. In Japan, they're taking a proactive approach to monitoring pollen and letting people know just where and when it's safe to leave their homes. With robots!

Yep, these adorrrrrable Pollen Robots will be hung outside the homes of 200 hay fever sufferers who have volunteered to participate. The robots will detect pollen levels and warn people about the levels by flashing its eyes different colors. It'll also send the data back to Weathernews HQ in Tokyo for study. You'll still sneeze when you go outside, but at least you'll be prepared for it with these.

Asahi, via Pink Tentacle