The Silicon Valley startup Syncere has opened preorders for its viral robotic lamp post that handles household chores while providing ambient lighting.
The small robotic manipulator, named Lume, is basically a scaled down industrial robot arm adapted for common domestic chores like folding laundry and making the bed. The robot lamp recognizes objects with its computer vision while its onboard AI figures out how to manipulate them to finish tasks.
Founded by Stanford PhD Aaron Tan, Palo Alto-based Syncere is positioning Lume as a relatively affordable alternative to humanoids coming to market from companies like 1X Technologies, Figure AI, and Tesla. Its entry price is 93 percent cheaper than 1X’s NEO, which is $20,000 to buy outright or $500 per month.
Palo Alto-based Syncere is selling Lume starting at $1,499. A pair of the machines, called a Duet, that handle more advanced chores is priced at $2,499. A fully refundable deposit of $149 is required to preorder.
Syncere says it plans to start shipping units starting this summer.
Tan first revealed the robotic lamp concept last year with a CGI video of a Duet elegantly folding blankets. He has since shared photos of the startup showing prototypes to high-power investors like Jeff Bezos and will.i.am.