There are some valid use cases though. For example loading a washing machine in the morning, then starting it a hour before I plan to drive home. This one can be a real quality of life changer.

Nothing is really essential in our life. Do you really need washing machine? You can do laundry by hand. It saves time and more convenient to use a machine. The problem with a lot of automation schemes is that it takes more time and less convenient because of poor design.