Some call them innovative, others call them ridiculous. But at their core, Simone Giertz’s (pronounced Yetch) inventions are just plain fun. 

You may have heard of the Swedish inventor, TV host and YouTuber from Truckla – a Tesla pickup truck that Giertz fashioned from a modified Model 3, predating the official Cybertruck. From the Hair Washing Robot to the Toothbrush Machine, the ‘Queen of Shitty Robots’ – a name affectionately bestowed on her by the internet – exploded online with her comedic approach to remedying everyday annoyances with the most quirky of inventions.

But these days, she’s switched gears. Giertz now tends to focus on more ‘useful’ and ‘practical’ inventions, like the Every Day Calendar that helps foster habits by acting as “a personal gold star system for your habits”. Desiring to shift her YouTube success into something with more long-term sustainability, the creator has also just unveiled the YETCH Store to house and share some of her inventions.

We spoke to Giertz about how the pandemic affected her creativity, the best advice she’s ever gotten and her most outrageous creation.

First off, how is 2022 coming along for you?

Fine. 2022 and I are getting along fine.

Tell us a little bit about what growing up was like for you. Where did you find the first indication that you were into creating things?

It was very time-consuming. Couldn’t even walk or talk for the first couple of years. For creating things, I think I was just a good combination of ambitious and easily bored. And I had very supportive parents who were ok with me making a mess. 

You are an inventor, TV host, and YouTuber. How do you prioritise among those titles and what comes first for you?

Inventor comes first! I would stamp “inventor” in my passport if I could. The rest are just things I happen to do. I enjoy them a lot though.

What was the first thing you ever made, and do you still have it?

I have absolutely no idea, but I bet it makes for an excellent landfill.  

How has your creative thought process changed since you started?

Not much to be honest! I rarely have to sit and come up with ideas, they mostly just pop out while I’m doing something else.

Did the pandemic change the way you perceive things?

It definitely changed how I build things. I stopped travelling to speak at conferences, so I had a lot more time in the workshop. I used to rush through every project, but during the pandemic, I was able to learn a bunch of new skills and spend weeks perfecting a build.

Does sound play any role or have any impact on what you do?

Yes! I have noticed that my tool preferences heavily depend on how loud they are. I love quiet builds. I’m obsessed with making stained glass right now, and I think a big reason is because cutting glass makes an absolutely amazing sound.

The Every Day Calendar has become one of your most successful creations. How did that come about and are you surprised by the response it has received?

I made the Every Day Calendar because I wanted to start meditating every day, and it really helped. So, I figured other people might be interested too. I’m just glad people are liking them! We’re still ironing out some kinks but there are now thousands of Every Day Calendars in thousands of homes around the world, which is pretty wild to think about.

You have also voiced a robot in Adventure Time: Distant Lands. Is that something you think you’ll be doing more of?

(Laughs) Probably not. That was just a fun one-off! I’d be down to do it again, but it’s definitely no career plan of mine.

You were pretty open on your channel about your brain tumour and surgery. How has it affected the way you view your work and things in general? And how are you doing now?

I’m still not allowed to do headstands, but that’s a pretty fair compromise considering that I had a giant brain tumour taken out of my head.

If there was only one creation of yours to define you as an artist, what would it be and why?

It changes all the time, but probably the puzzle table? Or the companion chair? I just want to make unique solutions for everyday problems.

And what would you say has been the most outrageous thing you have created? How about the most meaningful to you?

I spent weeks building a mantis shrimp costume at Wētā Workshop in New Zealand. That’s probably up there. Most meaningful is probably my car, Truckla. She just changed my life in so many ways, and she’s very fun to drive.

What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?

From my mom (who’s a TV host) when I was fretting about people recognising me on the streets. She said “being famous is like having really big breasts. It makes some people want to be with you, it makes some people want to take photos with you, but it says nothing about who you are”.

And any advice for people out there who aspire to do what you do?

Wear safety gear? And if you’re struggling with coming up with ideas, you’ve probably set the bar too high for yourself. I like a bar that I can stroll over.

If your life were an album or movie, what would it be and why?

I don’t know but I’m pretty sure it would be direct-to-video.

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

On a ranch in Northern California with a solid collection of obscure vehicles. 

All Images: Simone Giertz

Writer | Kevin Yeoh

When he isn’t making sure Sound of Life stories are published in a timely manner, Kevin enjoys wandering aimlessly in Kuala Lumpur city, going down the YouTube rabbit hole and discovering new music.