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CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

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Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#251
post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It says something when it's easier to land a ten story rocket booster than fold laundry...

That probably isn't true; it's just that the laundry thing is still a way down Musk's priority list :)

On the contrary, tangled washing is probably close enough to knot topography to be super challenging to solve without applying sentient meat to the problem.

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know the guy behind FoldiMate a little bit. I've met him at trade shows. One thing I have to point out is that he has pursued this dream for years. Lack of interest, team, funding ... nothing has stopped this guy. It's a really hard problem and he keeps at it. I can't say I'm rushing out to buy one myself, but there's a human story here too, and I think that's been lost in the coverage.

> but there's a human story here too, and I think that's been lost in the coverage There's a human story behind every product.

Yes, and 99% of the time it's "fuck it who cares dude lets just lie we need users". I've been at the forefront too many times. There's never been a remotely 'human story'.

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> FoldiMate Is this a joke? A machine that, when you take a piece of laundry and after de-tangling each piece (fixing inside-out/sleeves/etc) and then orienting it properly, insert it into the machine in a specific way, will fold laundry in "a few" minutes. All this for the low price of $1,000 USD and they claim to deliver in two years (which we all know will slip). If this machine let me dump a dry bucket of laundry…

I know the guy behind FoldiMate a little bit. I've met him at trade shows. One thing I have to point out is that he has pursued this dream for years. Lack of interest, team, funding ... nothing has stopped this guy. It's a really hard problem and he keeps at it. I can't say I'm rushing out to buy one myself, but there's a human story here too, and I think that's been lost in the coverage.

That's great, unfortunately he seems to have lost perspective and is developing a product no one will want at a price no one will pay.

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#254
post #5

Here's what I want robots to do: 1) Wash my dishes, dry them and put them away completely automatically. 2) Wash and dry my clothes, fold them and put them away completely automatically. These two things would save me hours of work per week. FoldiMate simply isn't even close to being good enough, but I'd be willing to spend about that much for a robot that could do #2. I can vacuum my floor by myself and greet people…

You can also just get two washing machines. Load all the dirties into one then run it and as you use them load them into the other. Bam. Clean dishes and no putting them away.

You mean dish washers?

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#256
post #253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know the guy behind FoldiMate a little bit. I've met him at trade shows. One thing I have to point out is that he has pursued this dream for years. Lack of interest, team, funding ... nothing has stopped this guy. It's a really hard problem and he keeps at it. I can't say I'm rushing out to buy one myself, but there's a human story here too, and I think that's been lost in the coverage.

That's great, unfortunately he seems to have lost perspective and is developing a product no one will want at a price no one will pay.

Laundrettes?

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know the guy behind FoldiMate a little bit. I've met him at trade shows. One thing I have to point out is that he has pursued this dream for years. Lack of interest, team, funding ... nothing has stopped this guy. It's a really hard problem and he keeps at it. I can't say I'm rushing out to buy one myself, but there's a human story here too, and I think that's been lost in the coverage.

So he's insane?

Most founders are, the successful ones at least.

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I get a real kick out of getting home after the vacuuming robot has been doing my housework while I'm out :-) I'd love a similarly simple way to press a button and have my laundry done - I've seen combined washer/dryers, but I'd love something that sorted and folded everything for me... (Interestingly, I live alone, and do not have any motivation to buy a dishwasher.)

I live alone and have a “half width” dishwasher. It’s amazing at saving me time but also clutter. No dirty dishes on the bench top. The thing is on every night. Research has also shown it uses far less water and energy than hand washing. By far the best investment I ever made for house cleaning though is a cordless Dyson vacuum. It’s mounted on the wall and I end up vacuuming (5 mins max) every day so it hardly feels…

Less water and energy, but using a brutal kind of soap that is surely more harmful to the environment than hand wash soap.

Re: CES Was Full of Useless Robots and Machines That Don’t Work

#260
post #5

Here's what I want robots to do: 1) Wash my dishes, dry them and put them away completely automatically. 2) Wash and dry my clothes, fold them and put them away completely automatically. These two things would save me hours of work per week. FoldiMate simply isn't even close to being good enough, but I'd be willing to spend about that much for a robot that could do #2. I can vacuum my floor by myself and greet people…

I'll admit #2 is an annoyance for me... but I'll reluctantly bite.

However, I would have a hard time giving up #1 to a machine. I do a great deal of my creative thinking, scheduling, et al during my time hand-washing dishes. I liken it to creative thinking during a shower, I can't imagine it being replaced by a 'bot. I realize YMMV but we all find solace in varying small corners. For me, it's the dishes, for others' it might be a long drive or vacuuming, etc.

I'm a huge proponent of automation, and the advancements that tech will provide in the future, however as an artist I still need the time to procrastinate (ie: THINK). I don't know that I could do this in the solace of a vacuum. I pay $10/mo to listen to white noise on Spotify while I write treatments for various commercial projects.

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