The usefulness of useless robots: Chips with Everything podcast

Jordan Erica Webber asks robot maker and innovator Simone Giertz why she dislikes the robots she makes. And how digital technology might be useful for managing our wellbeing

Simone Giertz is a self-professed maker of crummy robots. She's made a drone that cuts hair, a robot that applies her lipstick and the Wake-Up machine, a DIY wall-mounted robot alarm clock with a rubber arm, that slaps her awake in the morning.

Simone showcases her creations on her own YouTube channel. While she admits that none of her robots are meant to do their job well, Simone's fascination for technology and electronics have made her a role model for young robot makers worldwide. So what does this queen of bad robots make of our increasingly robotics-reliant society? And does she recognise the possible pitfalls of human-robot interactions in her day-to-day work?