There are two household chores I dislike the most: doing laundry and ironing. One has literally become the bane of my back, and the other a constant pain in the neck. Before you wonder why I don’t just use a washer, dryer, or iron, trust me, I’m not stuck in the 50s scrubbing clothes by hand and line-drying them. My home has all the right appliances for washing, drying, and ironing. The problem is that using them has turned into my biggest annoyance.
There are two main reasons I loathe these tasks. First, they’re tough on my back, and second, the appliances take up far too much space. I wouldn’t say I’m desperate for an alternative, but I’m definitely keeping an eye out for something better. Fortunately, Hong Kong–based startup ZERA Lab has devised something called Launbot, which claims to provide a fully hands-free solution for drying and ironing clothes. Currently the subject of a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, this compact, AI-powered clothes-drying robot, if I may call it so, is designed to replace both a bulky dryer and the need for an iron altogether.
According to the company’s Kickstarter page, Launbot uses a graphene-based heater and dual mini-turbines to generate a “stable heat cyclone,” and its built-in sensors continuously adjust temperature to protect fabric. The company further points out that its device includes “a built-in UV-C light feature to help remove mites and odours, a notable plus for hygiene-conscious users.”
To put it in simple words, Launbot is designed to dry and iron laundry, often both at once, for smaller households. As for functionality, you need to hang your clothes on its custom frame, and the device uses controlled heat, focused airflow, and UV-C sanitisation to dry and smooth fabrics without direct contact. It also uses far less energy and space than a traditional dryer, running on a standard 100–240V outlet and drawing under 500W in all modes.
The crazy part here isn’t the device’s minimal energy consumption but the tiny size at which it delivers these functions. The Launbot is ultra-compact (6.69 x 5.71 x 2.36 inches), weighs just 1.3lbs, and comes with a soft strap so you can hang it in a closet, bedroom, bathroom, anywhere it fits.
I know what you are thinking next. With a size so small, what can it actually dry and iron? The company clarifies that “Launbot can dry everything from underwear and socks, T-shirts and sportswear, shirts and dresses, shorts and trousers to sweaters and jackets.” According to the makers, “the device uses high-pressure wind, which is less harsh on the fabrics yet still gets them dry in minutes.”
With offers so luring, it’s no surprise that backers are flocking to Launbot’s promise of drying, straightening, and sanitising clothes in one hands-free step, saving both time and space for everyday users. It’s little wonder the campaign has already crossed the $200,000 mark with over 1,500 followers and counting. This naturally raises the question of whether it works equally well on all fabrics. The creators address this directly, stating, “Launbot is safe for all fabrics. For extra delicate materials such as silk or linen, we recommend using the 30-minute cycles for both drying and straightening.”
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To be fair in all regards, Launabot is not promising full robotic folding or industrial pressing like Einsen, but it does bundle drying, straightening, and sanitisation into a compact, AI-assisted package aimed at small-space living. That combination sets it apart from steam-only solutions that dominate the market.
For those interested, you can snag the basic set at $101. The basic set includes a Launbot, a hanger, and a drying bag. If you are looking for the entire bundle (a Launbot, a hanger, a dryer bag, a torso airbag, a pants airbag, and a storage case), it will cost you $112.
