One of the guys on the tables is the guy who manufactures these things. The local news article painstakingly points out that motorized tables aren’t illegal, but driving them on the road is. The locals evidently got a laugh out of it, as would anyone who knows the issues with the average Australian barbecue. All that standing up and trying to figure out how to get from one place to another can be a bit of a nuisance.
This is part of the great revival of the Australian barbecue culture since the infamous “put another shrimp on the barbie” restraining order. (Mattel have been insufferable about it ever since. Since when is “Nyah!” a press release? How does a plastic blonde chick know how to take out a class action?) Aussie barbecue culture is back in business, and literally roaming the streets.
The motorized table is certainly getting attention now, and this isn’t the only time these tables have taken to the roads. It’s designed to provide the reassurance needed for those sufficiently far gone as to realize that movement while drinking and eating simply interrupts drinking and eating. One simply motors to the beer, or source thereof, like the fabulous Australian beer mines, and motors back, without all that ridiculous worrying about laws of gravity, ability to put food in face, etc. It’s a simple solution to a complex problem.
The table can also be used for karaoke, particularly the remote-controlled version, which can be used to move karaoke singers to appropriate receptacles or other locations. The two picnic tables in the video are apparently the more traditional models, which don’t have beaches, Queensland, and bottle shops attached to them.
For more information, just talk to your nearest semi-conscious Australian, or ask at the Embassy for details. (A word of advice — informing Australians about the availability of beer can be hazardous. Try an email and simply clear the freeways if necessary. Much simpler.)
