Appliance Reliability.

of course! Why do we need chips with everything? Refrigerator: compressor operated by simple thermostat. You don't need a chip to control it to a zillionth of a degree accuracy, nor do you need an AI to tell you when you've run out of milk!! ;-) Personally, I would say there is a markert for ‘simple’ appliances without fancy gimmicks which would last a lot longer, however I expect the last thing manufacturers want is equipment which lasts for years!!

The trouble with chips or any electronics is they will fail well before the mechanical parts of such machines leaving you with an expensive pile of junk for the want of a simple component or two. Perhaps the recent ‘right to repair’ legislation might make a difference?

PS: just changed the oil on a diesel engine still going strong after 70 years of abuse! Clockwork starter and no electrics at all!