You wouldn't expect to meet a former automotive robotics specialist or a Harris hawk called Zeus at a show that caters to the condo market. But they were both at the Toronto Condo Show last weekend. The event promotes goods and services for the ever-growing number of city residents who are choosing a condominium lifestyle.

The robotics expert is Jerry Sorbara. He has designed electronic controls for a Los Angeles-based company's television lift systems, and now he and his wife, Rosa, are marketing the devices directly to North American consumers.

"We thought we would do the condo show," said Rosa, demonstrating their latest product, a system that will raise and lower the television set from a hiding spot under a bed. "It's a great space-saver."

Based in Hamilton, the Sorbaras unveiled the device two months ago at a Denver electronics show, where they made their first sale to a Hollywood movie star (who they can't name for privacy reasons).

Through their company, Activated Decor (http://www.activateddecor.com/), the Sorbaras can offer the lift mechanisms to raise and lower TVs in lots of applications, including from attic spaces. They also show console cabinets including the mechanism but not the TV.

"We tell people to email us pictures, and we can match their furniture," says Rosa.