For a few years, FoldiMate looked like the future of laundry. Its story is a useful reminder that a great idea and a product in your home are two different things.
A promising start
FoldiMate was founded in 2012 by Gal Rozov, a software engineer who wanted a robot to take over one of the most tedious household chores. The company showed prototypes at CES, and its 2017 demonstration generated strong interest. In 2018, press reports mentioned interest from a major European appliance maker.
The promise
The machine was expected to fold an average load of 20–40 items in a few minutes, with garments clipped onto slots at the front. The announced price was around $980, and customers could reserve a unit with an $85 deposit. A market launch was planned for the end of 2019.
The end
The launch did not reach the mass market. On August 30, 2021, the company emailed deposit holders a “Cessation of Business” notice, stating that FoldiMate had ceased its business operations and inviting them to claim their deposit back.
What it means for you
If you were waiting for FoldiMate, you can stop waiting. Home folding machines exist today. FOLDORA is available to order, with two models, nine finishes, a 2-year limited warranty and free US shipping.
Compare both in detail: FOLDORA vs FoldiMate.
Sources: Wikipedia, CNBC, VentureBeat. FoldiMate is a trademark of its respective owner; FOLDORA is not affiliated with FoldiMate.