Simone Giertz

Background

Simone Giertz, born November 1, 1990, in Stockholm, Sweden, studied engineering physics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm but left before completing her degree. She later attended the Hyper Island creative business school. Her early career included freelance writing and video production, but she gained prominence through her unconventional approach to robotics and invention.

Major Contributions

Giertz is best known for her "shitty robots," a series of humorous and intentionally impractical inventions designed to perform mundane tasks in inefficient ways. These projects, showcased on her YouTube channel, blend comedy with engineering.

Created the "Wake-Up Machine," a robot that slaps the user awake.

Developed the "Toast-O-Matic," a device that burns toast while applying butter.

Built the "Pee-Moji," a machine that tweets emojis based on urine stream patterns.

In 2018, she co-founded the company "Yetch," which aimed to produce a modular electric truck but was later put on hold due to health challenges.

Impact on Their Field

Giertz’s work has popularized the concept of "useless machines" and democratized robotics by emphasizing accessibility and humor over precision. Her approach has inspired a wave of makers and hobbyists to experiment with engineering without fear of failure. She has been featured in major publications like Wired and The Verge and has spoken at events such as TEDx, discussing creativity and the value of imperfection.

Current Work/Relevance

As of 2023, Giertz continues to create content on YouTube, focusing on personal projects, including a van conversion and health-related challenges. She remains an influential figure in the maker community, advocating for hands-on learning and the intersection of art and technology. Her work underscores the importance of experimentation in engineering and design.

Who They Are

Simone Giertz is a Swedish inventor, maker, and YouTuber often called the "Queen of Shitty Robots." Born in 1990 in Stockholm, she studied engineering and physics but dropped out to pursue creative projects. Her quirky, humorous approach to technology has made her a beloved figure in the maker community and beyond.

Why They Matter

Giertz’s work challenges the idea that technology must be perfect or serious. She celebrates creativity, failure, and fun, inspiring others to tinker without fear. Her openness about her brain tumor diagnosis in 2018 and subsequent recovery also highlighted her resilience, making her a role model for facing adversity with humor and grace.

What They’re Known For

Giertz gained fame for her absurd, impractical robots designed to perform mundane tasks in the most ridiculous ways possible. Some of her most popular creations include:

The "Breakfast Machine," a robot that sloppily smears peanut butter on toast

The "Alarm Clock Head Slapper," which literally wakes you up by hitting you

The "Toothbrush Helmet," a hands-free brushing contraption that barely works

Beyond robots, she’s built a Tesla pickup truck ("Truckla"), hosted a TV show about invention, and collaborated with major brands like Google and NASA. Her TED Talk, "Why you should make useless things," has been viewed millions of times, cementing her as a champion of playful innovation.