"Appeals to me, but I am biased towards electronics and motors....Like you say claiming warranty could be hard. Though one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do this sort of thing is to use linear actuators, they're often of a relatively standard design and are easy to wire and low voltage - so would be user repairable (or by an electrician).12v power supply, a couple of wires to the motors and a switch to engage and set the direction to move.They can be slow though, slower than pictured. Wouldn't be the first time a company slightly speeds up their marketing video ;) There are faster similar alternatives though."

"I broadly agree with what you're saying, our conceit as designers is often to not fully consider (and consult) the end user as to what their specific needs are. As alot of design is a matter of compromise what may seem like a deal breaker or illogical design to us might prove "handy"/realistic/practical in the field.In this case they may have prototyped and deemed the stability from a wide base worth any possible awkwardness when standing up."

"This sort of design strikes me as working aesthetically in the mind of the designer (who is imagining many of the same object in pristine condition with no random objects or dirt), but not in the real world with all the factors you mentioned mentioned.TLDR: seems naively designed."