The robotic project is targeted for users living in studios or 1-2 bedroom apartments in California Bay Area with security concerns. The design result is an interactive security robot patrolling home environment. It delivers security information to the resident on its display, and connected to smart phone and other smart home system products. It functions as hub for central control of smart home system and act as home butler and life companion with humanized emoticon interfaces.
Derive inputs for product definition by identifying the main features and core use cases out of research insights based on a deep understanding of the target user’s needs in the field of home security monitoring.
The overall project scope was targeted for three-year development including multiple research and design phrases. My individual design proposal was completed in 5 months, on Feb. 2015
As the industrial and interaction designer for this project, I created my individual design concept based on the previous research findings. I collaborated with engineering team to determine the product size and produced static and movable prototypes. I participated the second round of research activities with Lunar in San Francisco and explored new design directions for the next design stage.
Being away from home raises a concern for security for loved ones, valuables left behind. People expressed the need to be able to monitor home while being away.
It is important for the security solution to be able to protect itself or else it refutes the purpose. The concerns were around its size, and being conspicuous – to avoid being noticed and thus manhandled or exploited.
There is a clear difference in attitude of people who rent and those who own. People who rent do not feel responsible for the home and tend to delegate this to the landlord. They would not typically invest in a security system because of the permanence attached to a security system, which probably comes from installation.
Direct feedback on the job done by the product / tool is an important indicator of its effectiveness. Being able to view results with transparency gives a sense of satisfaction about the job well done.
When talking about security monitoring, people always have the concern about being watched and don’t feel comfortable with that situation at home.
The final design is a hybrid form of futuristic and feminine style. The product functions in two modes. One is patrol mode with its wide angle camera visible from outside. This mode will be activated while the user is not at home. The other mode is home information display mode. The camera will become invisible and the top screen will display home security information while the user is at home.
Cutting, Layering, Volumization.
Test the full-scale product size. Test the visibility and readability of the screen information.
The robot is supported by cliff sensor and laser ranger finder to detect surrounding environment and four-wheel base to facilitate its mobility. On patrol mode while the resident is not at home, the inside camera will pop out for a wide angel camera view of home monitoring and sync the real-time video recording with smart phone.
The main functions of display interface are providing clear and simple security information and alert notification when accidents happen. Users can also place robot on table and have video call though the display. When residents come back home, the robot will greet them with smile emoticon on its display to enhance the relationship between human and product.
Icon placed at the center of the home page indicates the overall security status. The vitals of the home which include temperature, humidity, electricity consumption and noise, are aligned as icons and their values at the bottom part of the screen.
When the robot detects any unusual situation, for example, if temperature is higher than normal level, it will generate alert notification on screen. The centered icon, along with the temperature icon, will become flashing red to capture user’s attention.
The robot provides interative functions such as video call. During the call, users can still have access to the security information which is placed at bottom, as a secondary section.
Animation video co-prodcued with Nebojsa Visnjic.