The day is finally upon us. A powerful robot is out there. It can't be bargained with, can't be reasoned with, it doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear. It absolutely will not stop, ever… until your knives are sharp. Dull edges will be terminated. We can only hope it has the capacity to learn the value of human life.

Like the Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, the technology behind the KnifeRobot was born in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. Fortunately, unlike the Terminator, this machine is not designed to kill — it's a helpful little robot. In fact, it's claimed to be the world's first patented automatic knife sharpening technology.

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The KnifeRobot uses a complex array of sensors, motors, and abrasive belts to produce a razor-sharp edge in about 5 minutes (severely worn edges may take longer). It is said to work on fixed blades, folding knives, and even straight razors. Here's a breakdown of how it works, based on info from the company's IndieGoGo page:

1. Insert a knife into the machine. Blade length must be between 2 and 10 inches, width must be no more than 4 inches, and thickness must be no more than 3/8-inch. Inclusive grind angle must be less than 40 degrees. Aside from these limits, the KnifeRobot is said to handle “any shape up to +/- 30 degrees from horizontal position” including tanto grinds, and will even sharpen serrations on blades.
2. Press the start button. You can also customize grind angle, speed, and pressure if desired. Then walk away — the machine will handle the rest.
3. A shape sensor will run along the blade, detecting its size, shape, and profile.
4. The coarse belt will grind one side of the blade edge, then the other.
5. A microscopic camera will analyze the burr on the edge.
6. A fine grinding belt will remove the burr from each side of the knife.
7. Built-in auto storage can retain multiple knives until you return and remove them from the KnifeRobot.

See below for a scaled-up functional prototype of the machine in action.

The belts inside the KnifeRobot are said to last for about 100 sharpenings, and replacements can be purchased on Amazon for about $10. There are two versions of this machine: a portable consumer version (pictured here) suitable for the home or workshop, and a professional-grade version that can be built into a kitchen countertop. The professional built-in knife sharpener is designed for chefs, and will automatically sharpen knives based on how frequently they're used.

KnifeRobot hasn't hit full production yet, but the company has developed working prototypes, as well as the portable model design seen here. It is crowdfunding through IndieGoGo to head into production during mid-2017. For more info on this interesting new tech, check out KnifeRobot.com (this currently redirects to the IndieGoGo campaign). Backers of the campaign can pre-order a portable KnifeRobot for $299 with expected delivery in October 2017; the retail MSRP is expected to be $700. The built-in professional model will set you back $5000.

Written by Patrick McCarthy