Award-winning robots as everyday life companion
Robots are present in our everyday life. What seems futuristic in movies like Wall-E or Star Wars, becomes more and more reality. But a lot of people still don’t know about the diverse range of applications for robotic technology. The jury of the Red Dot Award: Product Design has an eye on this enormously growing industry. Amongst others, the following products received a Red Dot and fit seamlessly as well as harmoniously into our everyday life. They were all designed to support us with the smaller and bigger difficulties of our everyday life and each one convinced the jury in its individual way.
Finding sleep with the “Somnox sleep robot”
To better settle in today’s hectic everyday life and fall asleep faster, the Dutch manufacturer Somnox has come up with a solution and developed the “Somnox sleep robot”. It helps to relax with its specific breathing rhythm, which the user adapts to. Furthermore, the Red Dot awarded robot, designed by Royal Auping, supports a natural posture to prevent cramps in neck and shoulders. With the relaxing sound from the implemented loudspeaker, “Somnox” creates a cosy feel-good atmosphere in which the head can relax. Given the breathing rhythm, the cosy surface and the relaxing sound, the user is addressed at various levels and can look forward to a restful night or a refreshing nap.
The cuddly animal among robots
As therapy robot, “Qoobo” from Yukai Engineering works with the benefits of animal therapy and helps to reduce stress and fear. With his moveable tail, he reacts nonverbally like a real animal to touch. He responds individually to cuddling, which comes very close to the authenticity of a real pet and provides the user with a positive feeling. The focus of the design from Kosuke Tatsumi is purposely on the tail because it is understood as intuitive nonverbal communication tool by humans. The reason for the jury to award the product a Red Dot is: “With Qoobo, everyone can benefit from the advantages of animal therapy. The design skilfully reflects an artificial crea¬ture with a perceptible presence.”
Excellent English teacher for the little ones
With the help of the learning robot “Abbebot” from the Chinese company Shenzen Shenxiao Technology, kids aged between three and eight can easily learn to speak English and to work intuitively with technology through a mix of digital and analogue learning elements. Thanks to the help of the cute exterior design from Shenzen Xivokids Design, the children easily come into contact with the learning robot which not only teaches them hearing, speaking, writing and reading but also the correct pronunciation of the English language. Additionally, “Abbebot” can identify physical letters and integrate them into learning games through its patented KI algorithm. Moreover, he can read stories from books. For this playful access to language, the jury granted the Red Dot.
Red Dot Award: Product Design 2019
The international jury of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2019 examined the versatile robotic everyday heroes of tomorrow. During the Red Dot Gala on 8 July 2019, the excellent results and innovative solutions of the Red Dot: Best of the Best winners will be honoured at the Aalto-Theater Essen. Following this, the participants can celebrate at the Designers’ Night in the Red Dot Design Museum until the early morning.