Laundry folding has attracted ambitious startups for over a decade. Two of the most famous never made it into homes.
Laundroid
Laundroid, from Japan's Seven Dreamers, was a large robot that used cameras and AI to recognize and fold garments. In April 2019, TechCrunch reported that the company behind Laundroid had filed for bankruptcy.
FoldiMate
FoldiMate took a simpler approach with clip-in loading and an announced price around $980. It planned a launch by the end of 2019, then informed deposit holders in August 2021 that it had ceased business operations.
What these stories teach
- Ship a product, not a promise. Reservations and demos are not deliveries.
- Keep the routine simple. People want to load, press a button and walk away.
- Design for real homes. A machine you see every day must look good and fit the space.
- Support matters. Warranty, returns and tracking build trust.
The FOLDORA approach
FOLDORA focuses on a simple routine: one garment, five controls, a folded stack in the tray. Two sizes, nine finishes, a 2-year warranty, and a machine you can order today. Compare FOLDORA vs FoldiMate.
Sources: TechCrunch (2019), Wikipedia. Trademarks belong to their respective owners.