machines that sit around and do things for you while you can do other things.
like for example in one's house, a tabletop grinder that'll grind spices for a while while you go do other things. or a stove that cooks things while you grind, and so on.
basically immobile tools that look cool and allow for greater multi-tasking. should wear out and require tinkering to fix, and should be monitored via a progress bar above them that can fill up as you putter about the house activating other machines and so on.
could also be placed in communal areas to promote gathering.