A San Francisco startup has revealed an US$850 robot-helper that does it automatically. Dubbed “Your laundry folding friend,” FoldiMate uses a conveyor belt, several robotic arms and an adjustable tray that pushes out expertly folded apparel in less than a minute. “FoldiMate is a robotic clothes and laundry folding machine, the only way it knows to fold is like an expert,” said FoldiMate on its website. This device was designed to sit on top of the washer, dryer or a sturdy table, and the firm offers a wheeled table so it can be moved to where you normally fold. Users simply clip their freshly washed garments to the integrated rack located on the outside of FoldiMate. Then, using the available buttons, indicate what type of clothing it is such as a pair of pants or shirt. FoldiMate will sense the size, fabric thickness and whether it is long-sleeve or short-sleeve and adjust to fit those characteristics. Not only does it take over folding duties, but the device also reduces wrinkles with a built-in steamer. FoldiMate says it takes about 10 seconds to fold most items and an extra 20 to 30 to steam wrinkles out.(SD-Agencies) |