U of T Grads Create Lamp That Folds Laundry, Raise $3.5M in 2 Weeks

When Aaron Tan started his PhD in mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Toronto in 2019, he never imagined he'd soon be leading a Silicon Valley robotics startup inspired by a Disney movie. Yet here we are, and the result is absolutely delightful.

Tan and his co-founder Angus Fung, both graduates from U of T's Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, have created something that sounds like science fiction but is very much real. Their company Syncere has developed Lume, a sophisticated floor lamp that can fold your laundry. When you need it, the lamp reveals robotic arms and a camera, tackles that pile of clean clothes, and then transforms back into an ordinary lamp when finished.

The inspiration came from an unexpected source. While watching "Beauty and the Beast" with his wife, Tan had a lightbulb moment during the scene where furniture comes to life. "Instead of bringing industrial-looking robots into homes, why not start with something that already belongs there, like furniture, and work backwards?" he recalls thinking. That creative spark has blossomed into a company that's capturing imaginations and investment dollars alike.

During their time in Professor Goldie Nejat's Autonomous Systems and Biomechatronics Lab, Tan and Fung focused on how robots could coexist with humans in socially acceptable, safe ways. Their early attempts with humanoid robots revealed an important truth: people weren't comfortable with industrial-looking machines in their personal spaces. Rather than seeing this as defeat, the duo saw opportunity.

"We want to give people back the most valuable thing they have, which is time, without making them feel like we're adding a robot to their home," Tan explains warmly. This philosophy guided every design decision. Lume looks like a luxury appliance because it is one. It stays put like a dishwasher or washing machine, activating only when you want it to via voice or smartphone app. The homeowner remains completely in control.

Safety features are thoughtfully woven throughout the design. The robot uses 360-degree awareness, has fabric on joints to prevent pinch points, and locks itself in place if it detects nearby humans or pets. Mechanical shutters conceal its sensors when not in use, maintaining that sleek lamp aesthetic.

The response has been extraordinary. When Tan shared a concept video on X last July, it received over four million views and caught the attention of tech industry leaders. That viral moment helped the team close a remarkable $3.5 million pre-seed funding round in under two weeks.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story so uplifting isn't just the clever technology. It's the human-centered thinking behind it. Rather than forcing people to adapt to robots, Tan and Fung designed robots to adapt to people. They listened when early customers said existing home robots felt too intrusive, and they responded with creativity and empathy.

The team's vision extends far beyond laundry. They dream of an app store where Lume owners can add capabilities like gift wrapping, bed-making, ironing, meal prep, and even healthcare tasks. "A Lume in every room," reads the message on their office whiteboard.

Currently based in Palo Alto, California, the eight-person team is entirely Canadian, composed of U of T alumni ranging from bachelor's degree holders to PhDs. They're planning to open a Toronto office within the year as demand grows, and they're actively hiring. "Syncere is very much a team effort and a U of T effort," Tan says proudly.

This is innovation at its most delightful: thoughtful, beautiful, and genuinely helpful. Who knew the future of robotics would look so much like home?