From my personal experiences with the "Robot Vacuum" in my home in Thailand and my apartment in NYC, I've observed that this automated device often behaves unexpectedly. It frequently bumps into my legs, and sometimes it swallows items it shouldn't, like my charger wires and floor mats. There are even internet memes about it mistakenly grabbing dog tails and struggling in obstructed spaces. Additionally, its loud noises tend to frighten my pets.
Let’s Imagine a "Roomba" or robot vacuum not just as a tool, but as a livable companion—a device capable of forming emotional connections, adapting to its environment, and engaging in culturally aware interactions with humans, pets, and spaces. Inspired by Tamagotchi and Tweenbot, this project explores how technology can foster emotional and interactive connections with its users.
This vacuum goes beyond cleaning, adapting to cultural practices such as beliefs about fortune and respecting unique home layouts in different contexts, like Thailand and NYC. It learns from user preferences, gaining a deeper understanding of individual habits and needs to create more personalized interactions.
Using Camera Vision, Machine Learning, APIs, and sensors, the vacuum adapts to objects, pets, and cultural cues, building dynamic relationships with its environment. It embodies speculative, critical, and exploratory design principles to integrate emotional intelligence and cultural awareness into household technology.
This project redefines household technology as relational and adaptive, focusing on human-centered design and adaptable behaviors. By prioritizing meaningful interactions in shared spaces, the vacuum transforms into more than just a device—it becomes a collaborative and empathetic member of the household.
Companions
Technologies
Environments
Human-Centric Interaction Design
Adaptive Navigation and Cleaning
Feedback Loop Design
Camera Vision
Machine Learning
API Integrations
Sensor Fusions
Incorporate AI that can detect and respond to human emotions, enhancing the user experience.
Improve the vacuum's ability to navigate complex home layouts and react to changing environments
Develop features that allow the vacuum to communicate and form a bond with users, potentially recognizing individuals and their habits.
A well-known robot vacuum that cleans efficiently but
struggles with adapting to humans and complex
spaces. This project builds on its concept
by adding emotional intelligence and cultural
awareness, making the vacuum more interactive
and relatable.
https://www.irobot.com/en_US/
A virtual pet that needs care and attention from its
owner. It is a toy that teaches responsibility and
builds emotional bonds through playful interactions,
often requiring feeding, cleaning, and playing.
https://www.bandai.com/brands/tamagotchi
A robotic toy that reacts to touch, sounds, and
movement. It speaks its own language and learns
to mimic words over time, creating a sense of
personality and interaction for the user.
https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/furby
Digital voice assistants that can answer questions,
set reminders, and control smart devices. They are
designed to make everyday tasks easier through
voice commands, offering a personalized and efficient
user experience.
http://automato.farm/portfolio/
A small robot that moves through city streets and
depends on people to help it navigate. This project
shows how simple robots can create human
connections by relying on kindness and cooperation.
http://www.tweenbots.com/
A VR experience where users become smart home
objects, exploring their interactions and limitations.
It challenges traditional views by letting humans
experience life as objects, highlighting the evolving
roles of smart devices in a connected home.
http://automato.farm/portfolio/
The installation is composed of a camera and two
digital displays. When visitors walk in front of
the camera, the system finds their face, and then
superimposes a different processed version of their
face in real time on the two displays. The two faces
are created by a Machine Learning algorithm which
has been trained on different sets of data.
https://www.danilnagy.com/twin-mirror/
The introduction of the robot delivery service
began in the Nihonbashi area and over time will
expand to other areas to support and strengthen
the supply of delivery. Robots will fit into our
overall delivery network, working in tandem with
our delivery partners.
https://www.uber.com/blog/so-funakoshi/
Explore how emotional intelligence can enhance interactions between humans and devices.
Understand cultural beliefs and spatial practices to design a culturally responsive vacuum.
Enhance the robot’s ability to adapt to varying spatial and environmental conditions as sound ambients.
Understand cultural beliefs and spatial practices to design a culturally responsive vacuum.
Analyze the limitations of existing tools by prototyping.
by Anthony Dunne & Fiona Raby
Explores the intersection of design, fiction, and social dreaming, aiming to use design as a tool to imagine alternative futures.
by John Ferrara
For idea of making the robot vacuum more playful, with gestures, sounds, and adaptive movement as part of the design experience.
by Miguel Sicart
For research how playfulness can enhance the user experience of the robot vacuum, making it more engaging for humans, pets, and children.
by Matt Malpass
An in-depth look at critical design practices, explaining how designers can use critique to question the status quo.