Clothes-folding robot joins San Francisco laundry service, boosting business and curiosity

A San Francisco laundry business is turning heads with a new member of its workforce: a clothes-folding robot named Isaac. The machine, equipped with cameras and sensors, works alongside employees to sort, fold, and stack clothing with surprising accuracy.

Phillip Sharrette, a worker at Tumble, said folding clothes typically takes the most time. But Isaac has begun sharing the workload, even if it still takes roughly two minutes per item as it continues to learn. Its presence has captivated passersby, many of whom stop to take photos through the shop window.

Tumble CEO Scott Patterson said Isaac is already helping reduce labor time, which could eventually bring down the service’s cost from $55 per bag to around $35. The robot has also boosted business for Seabreeze Cleaners, with owner Justin Kyle Yip reporting a 10 to 15 percent increase in customers drawn in by curiosity.

The popularity of automated helpers extends beyond laundry services. Another robot, Neo, developed by Palo Alto startup 1X, is slated for release in 2026. Neo can vacuum, water plants, and help tidy homes, though many tasks still rely on remote human assistance.

The global household robot market is expanding rapidly, expected to grow from $12 billion in 2024 to $71 billion by 2034. Companies behind these technologies say the goal is to give people more time back by reducing everyday chores.

The robots come with a steep price tag, costing tens of thousands depending on the model, but interest continues to climb as automation becomes more accessible and visible in daily life.

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Credit: CNN Newsource

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