Summary
In this insightful episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast, Simone Giertz, dubbed as the Queen of Sh*tty Robots, delves into her innovative engineering and design journey, beginning with an iPhone case project that incorporated retractable guitar strings to play music. Simone shares her experiences and the importance of asking questions as a beginner in the engineering field in order to build a solid foundation.
Among Simone's eclectic creations are the toothbrush helmet, the breakfast robot, and the proud parent machine – each with their unique challenges. Discussing the creative process for these robots, Simone reveals how she identifies everyday problems and takes a humorous approach in finding solutions.
Simone opens up about her college experience, studying physics for a year before realizing her true passion lies elsewhere. She shares her advice for individuals considering college, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nature of one's desired job and preferred context. She firmly believes that one's passion can be found and pursued without a college degree.
In the conversation, the renowned robot maker shares the fun and challenging aspects of creating her quirky inventions, such as the bubble wrap music box and a mechanical jigsaw puzzle table. Throughout the discussion, Simone shares various other projects she has worked on, including a unique switching tabletop mechanism and a shoulder-mounted rotating device. She also recounts her journey of designing the Every Day Calendar, the challenges she faced in manufacturing it, and how her health struggles influenced her decision to diversify her business by creating the Yetch Store.
Reflecting on various aspects of her life and career, Simone discusses the importance of building foundations, resilience, and finding friends who share one's values. She also highlights her struggles with self-doubt, how enjoyment and enthusiasm can be motivating forces, and the significance of defining personal success. Simone emphasizes the significance of developing a sense of community and fostering relationships, especially in the era of social media and YouTube careers.
In conclusion, Simone shares her views on the meaning of life – centered around relationships and love – and her desires to build stronger community connections with those around her. Throughout this engaging episode, Simone Giertz's passion for innovative engineering and design, coupled with her candid reflections on her experiences, provide invaluable insights and inspiration for listeners.
