Rice and pasta can be cooked the same way.

Can, doesn’t mean it should. Rice should be cooked in just enough water for it to be absorbed or boiled off. Many types of rice are packaged with added minerals and shouldn’t be washed (check your packaging, you loose this if you have to drain).

Even the cheapest rice cookers use clever physics to fully automate this process and make it come out perfect every time.

Have you tried not washing rice?

It turns into a gloopy mess.

depends on the rice, how much starch. Jasmine - no need to wash, Sushi - must wash
I would again suggest you check your particular packaging. It should say whether to wash or not.
Sushi rice is supposed to be very sticky, I don’t wash any rice where I live.