Amazing Facts - Technology

Short on storage space? Thinking you’re going to have rent a third container? Well, things are looking up, thanks to Bumblebee Spaces, a San Francisco company established in 2017. The company produces storage units to be installed on the ceiling. Provided of course you have ceilings high enough, your one-bedroom apartment could transform into a one-office apartment, or a one-living-room apartment with the touch of a button. With the words “Hello Bumblebee, lower my bed,” a bed would slowly glide down from above, little legs folding out like a space ship landing. And before you start to worry it would squash your cat, you should know about the stop-motion sensors that would halt movement at the first sign of trouble. 

The storage units had cameras in them so you could see see the contents, but it already knew what was in each – so if you were to tell it you wanted to play tennis, down would come the box containing your rackets. On one Instagram reel, a homeowner simply says, “I’m ready for some yoga,” and an Alexa-like voice replies, “Sure thing. I’m dimming the lights and playing some calming music for you. I’m also lowering the storage boxes with your yoga mat and blocks so you can get to your stretching session. Would you like me to set an alarm for you when you’re done so you won’t miss your first meeting?” Down came the storage box on heavy-duty straps, only to ascend back into the unit once the owner removed the equipment.

In theory, Bumblebee made it possible to store all of your furniture and clothing in the ceiling. Having a party? Just ask the app to clear the space and turn on the music. Maybe you could even have it lower a full bar. “Bumblebee! I feel like a G&T!”

Bumblebee’s ability to fetch things and make helpful suggestions made Alexa look like a lazy, Googling, couch potato. In another Instagram reel, the owner simply asks Bumblebee to help him choose an outfit for a lunch date. Down come the storage boxes as she suggests an outfit, adding,“Make sure to grab your sunglasses.”

Movable walls were another great option for those short on floor space. The owner of a pre-war Manhattan apartment needed space to sleep six and seat 10 for Thanksgiving, so architect Robert Garneau from the Architecture Workshop removed all the internal walls and installed a hidden pivoting wall that could adapt the space as needed. The wall was filled with cupboards and drawers, but when pulled out, it revealed a fold-out bed. 



The only problem is that there was an obvious disconnect between small apartment dwellers and the investment these innovative space-saving inventions command. The Bumblebee bed cost US$14,000, which may go some way to explaining why the company filed for bankruptcy in 2023.