Zenbo

Asustek

Introduction

Our Design Team was asked to imagine a future where home assistance for the elderly and children is revolutionized by a versatile robot. With its expressive face and body language, Zenbo transcends the role of a mere appliance, becoming a beloved member of the family.

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Challenge

“What's the next evolution of the smart home assistant?”

In today's increasingly connected world of smart products, our team asked an essential question: what kind of innovation bridges the gap between current smart home displays and the future vision of fully functional humanoid robots in the home?

Implementation

"How do we inspire and strengthen connection?"

The design team undertook an intensive research sprint to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and needs of children with varying developmental abilities. We also consulted with parents, family members, and caregivers to better comprehend their experiences, priorities, and unmet needs. This research was pivotal in shaping our product positioning and holistic experience design. It led us to a design approach that deviated from the typical robotic stereotype, creating a concept that is warmer and more approachable. Throughout the design process, we continually asked ourselves, "How does this promote and nurture connection?"—considering every aspect from the physical form and materials to the detailed coordination of interactions.

Impact

An open hardware platform to build on.

Zenbo boasts a wide array of capabilities, from autonomous movement to understanding spoken commands, making home assistance seamless and enjoyable. Interaction with Zenbo is not only easy but also engaging. Zenbo's open platform invites developers to create customized services, enhancing the overall user experience and delivering significant benefits to end users.

Teamwork

From concept to prototype to market.

Building a Gen1 product from scratch involves assembling the right team to move quickly and align the business with the vision, essential for launching a bold concept into the market. By bringing together a talented group of individuals from software, hardware, UI/UX design, prototype engineering, model making, and industrial design, we transformed this robot platform from a mere concept to a market-ready product in record time.

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