Japanese inventor/dentist Hideki Watanabe has come up with something really rather ingenious: a saucepan which stirs itself. Why would that be useful, you wonder? Well, in a country where cooking ramen noodles is a daily chore, this is more than invaluable.
Called the 'Kuru-Kuru Nabe', or 'Round-and-Round Pot', the way it works is through careful 'scalloping' in its lining - like a whirlpool or a Jacuzzi, in fact - so that it cooks quicker and the food doesn't stick to the bottom.
The part-time inventor, full-time dentist is now asking for investors to stump up some cash to make his prototype a marketable reality, so if you have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, and love noodles, then head this way to find out more.
And for more from the weird and wonderful world of Japan, take a look at this surprisingly addictive video gallery of amazing Japanese playground slides. Curious? We're not surprised...