New Lex Fridman Insight: Simone Giertz: Queen of Sh*tty Robots, Innovative Engineering, and Design
Sent June 11, 2026
Key Insights
- Simone Giertz built her first hardware project, an iPhone case with retractable guitar strings, using capacitive touch and Bluetooth.
- Giertz's 'Queen of Sh*tty Robots' persona emerged from her Reddit posts, embracing failure as a creative force in engineering.
- Her brain tumor diagnosis post-TED Talk revealed a golf ball-sized tumor, which had been growing for 10-15 years.
- Simone's product business, including the Everyday Calendar, is self-funded and aims to diversify income away from YouTube.
- Simone critiques societal norms, noting the lack of female role models and the potential harm of powerful technology.
How the conversation moved
The episode begins with Simone Giertz discussing her journey into innovative engineering, sparked by her first hardware project: an iPhone case with retractable guitar strings. This project, which utilized capacitive touch technology and Bluetooth, led her to an internship at Punch Through Design, marking a significant step in her career. Simone's early experiences highlight the importance of experimentation and the role of hands-on projects in developing engineering skills.
Simone's main argument centers around embracing failure as a creative force, embodied in her 'Queen of Sh*tty Robots' persona. She explains how her intentionally flawed designs, like the toothbrush helmet, challenge traditional engineering norms and promote creativity. These projects, shared on platforms like Reddit, have garnered significant attention, underscoring the value of humor and imperfection in technology development.
While the host did not explicitly challenge Simone's views, the conversation could have explored the potential downsides of promoting 'shitty' designs in engineering education. The lack of pushback leaves open questions about how this philosophy might impact the perception of engineering as a discipline. The conversation also touches on societal norms, with Simone critiquing the lack of female role models in technology, but again, without significant counterpoints from the host.
The discussion concludes with Simone reflecting on her health challenges, including a brain tumor diagnosis, and her subsequent resilience. She shares her journey of recovery and how it has shaped her outlook on life and work. The episode ends on a note of personal growth and the importance of maintaining creative independence, as Simone discusses her self-funded product business and critiques of societal norms around technology and gender.
Surprising moments
In-depth
Innovative Engineering
- Simone's iPhone case project used capacitive touch and Bluetooth, sparking her interest in electronics.
- Her work at Punch Through Design was influenced by this early project.
Design Philosophy
- Simone's 'Queen of Sh*tty Robots' persona embraces failure as a creative force.
- Her projects like the toothbrush helmet highlight intentional design flaws.
Health and Resilience
- Simone's brain tumor diagnosis was a pivotal moment, leading to personal growth.
- Her recovery journey emphasizes resilience and adaptability.
Product Development
- Simone's product business is self-funded, focusing on unique designs like the Everyday Calendar.
- Diversifying income from YouTube is a strategic move for creative independence.
Societal and Ethical Critiques
- Simone critiques the lack of female role models and societal norms.
- She warns about the potential harm of powerful technology.
Notable Quotes
I feel like honestly, building gets less and less. I think it's a good thing.
Still open
- Simone questions how societal norms can be changed to better include female role models in technology.
- Simone wonders about the long-term impact of embracing failure as a creative force in engineering education.