The Lex Fridman Podcast – #372 – Simone Giertz: Queen of Sh*tty Robots, Innovative Engineering, and Design

Intro

In this episode of “The Lex Fridman Podcast,” Lex Fridman interviews Simone Giertz, an inventor, designer, engineer, and roboticist known for her humor and creative designs. Simone opens up about her personal journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. She also discusses her innovative engineering projects, including her famous “sh*tty robots” and a Tesla Model 3 converted into a truck.

Main Takeaways

Simone’s Creative Designs and Inventions

• Simone has created fun designs and inventions, including “sh*tty robots” and a Tesla Model 3 converted into a truck.
• Building can be frustrating due to limitations in skills, tools, and materials.
• Early exposure to woodworking in middle school instilled a sense of pride in creating something with her own hands.

Simone’s Journey and Personal Growth

• Simone opens up about her personal journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
• Taking care of yourself with a nap, shower, healthy meal, or exercise can make a difference in mental health.
• Simone discusses her experience with brain surgery and radiation treatments.

Simone’s Approach to Engineering and Design

• Simone shares her early experiences in building electronic projects, such as a phone case with retractable guitar strings.
• She discusses the challenges she faced in programming and getting sensors to work in real-time.
• Simone emphasizes the importance of perseverance and not giving up on projects.

Simone’s Product Business and Design Philosophy

• Simone talks about her product business, The Etch Store, and the challenges of manufacturing and quality control.
• She believes in designing products that are both functional and visually appealing.
• Simone shares her passion for creating unique and novel takes on everyday objects.

Simone’s Thoughts on Robotics and AI

• Simone discusses the emotional connection humans can have with robots and the potential benefits and risks of emotional manipulation.
• She expresses concerns about the use of robotics and AI in military applications and the potential for manipulation and control.
• Simone explores the power and limitations of language models and AI chatbots.

Summary

Simone’s Creative Designs and Inventions

Simone Giertz is known for her humorous and creative designs, including her famous “sh*tty robots” and a Tesla Model 3 converted into a truck. Despite the frustrations of building and the limitations in skills, tools, and materials, Simone finds pride in creating something with her own hands. Her early exposure to woodworking in middle school sparked her passion for building and engineering.

Simone’s Journey and Personal Growth

Simone opens up about her personal journey after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. She emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself through activities like napping, showering, eating healthy meals, and exercising. Simone shares her experiences with brain surgery and radiation treatments, expressing both fear and gratitude for her life. Going through illness has forced her to redefine what it means to be good and be more gentle with herself.

Simone’s Approach to Engineering and Design

Simone shares her early experiences in building electronic projects, such as a phone case with retractable guitar strings. She discusses the challenges she faced in programming and getting sensors to work in real-time. Despite the difficulties, Simone encourages others not to give up on their projects and emphasizes the importance of perseverance. She believes in the power of deadlines to keep oneself motivated.

Simone’s Product Business and Design Philosophy

Simone talks about her product business, The Etch Store, and the challenges of manufacturing and quality control. She is passionate about creating unique and novel takes on everyday objects, focusing on both functionality and aesthetics. Simone believes in designing products that people can form emotional connections with, and she strives to maintain reputation and trust with her customers.

Simone’s Thoughts on Robotics and AI

Simone explores the emotional connection humans can have with robots and the potential benefits and risks of emotional manipulation. She expresses concerns about the use of robotics and AI in military applications and the potential for manipulation and control. Simone also discusses the power and limitations of language models and AI chatbots, highlighting the need for caution and ethical considerations in their development and use.

Conclusion

Simone Giertz’s journey as an inventor, designer, engineer, and roboticist is filled with creativity, perseverance, and personal growth. From her humorous “sh*tty robots” to her innovative designs and inventions, Simone’s work inspires others to embrace the challenges of building and engineering. She reminds us of the importance of self-care, the power of emotional connections with technology, and the need for ethical considerations in the development of robotics and AI.