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Here’s a breakdown of what’s in store today

⭐ 1 Shift: Why Robots are The Next Big Design Opportunity?

⚡ 1 Tip: Object-Oriented Ontology

💊 3 Resources: Secret Creative Resources That Pros Use

Reading time: 4 minutes

⭐ Shift

Why Robots are The Next Big Design Opportunity?

Robotics largely was confined to factory floors or science fiction but I have noticed a strong shift in the last few years. As it stands, it's rapidly becoming, or trying to become an integral part of our everyday lives. The incredible strides in technology, along with a surge in funding and innovative deployments, present a golden opportunity for designers like us. I want to share why I believe now is the time for designers to step in and shape the future of this technology - no matter what your field is.

Let’s dive in.

1. Significant Financial Backing for Robotics Startups

The robotics sector is experiencing a surge in funding, indicating its potential for expansive growth. Recent highlights include a $100 million funding round closed by Collaborative Robotics and a massive $675 million raised by Figure 01. These figures are really just part of a broader trend that saw robotics investments reach $642 million in just last month alone, reflecting robust investor confidence in the potential of robotics technology. When money gets poured into new technology, sooner or later these companies realize that they need to build robust design principles and teams - not only for differentiating themselves but also to build design systems (visual, physical and digital) that new employees can refer to. I would expect to find even more robotics companies get a sizeable funding this year to bring these machines to market.

2. Robots Still Look and Feel Odd

I don’t mean this in a negative way. Most new robots look uninviting and/or evil even though modern robotics companies are looking to make robots ready for every-day domestic scenarios. As robots make their way from factories to our homes, robot manufacturers are constantly asking questions like should it have a head?, Should it look more like a human or a machine?, Should it mimic human behaviour or is that too creepy?, etc. Apollo by Boston Dynamics recently dropped a video of it’s motors engaging and it getting up from a laid down position. One of the creepiest 30 second video I have ever watched. One of the most liked comments underneath had me laughing:

But this is what is so wrong with most robots today. Look at this lineup of 2024 humanoid robots - which ones would you wanna have at home chilling alongside you on your couch?

It’s easy to see how design will be a key differentiator in this segment. How a robot is understood, how it’s animatronics work, it’s voice, state communication, etc. will all be extremely important as these robots try to blend into the human society.

I wrote about Designing Robots for Humans earlier this year along with Clint Rule from Teague if you interested to read more on this.

3. Big Players Entering This Market

Earlier this year Samsung updated it’s Ballie home robot. While far from a humanoid, it’s great to see larger companies getting in on the action. Apple too, is reportedly exploring the development of personal home robots, including a mobile robot that can follow users. The exploration of these devices comes after Apple killed its self-driving car project. Amazon too has a strong robotics division with Astro leading the charge as a companion robot on wheels. All of this to say that it’s not just niche startups that may not understand design that are getting into robotics but well established companies with mature design divisions are getting in on the action as well.

Where are we headed?

I think we're at the cusp of something big in robotics, where these tools are are on their way to become as common as TVs. With names old and new in robotics, there's clear momentum towards mainstream acceptance. As a designer, I see a tremendous opportunity to make robots more approachable and intuitive. From Robot software to industrial design - the focus isn't just on technology, but on designing experiences that seamlessly integrate into daily life, enhancing our interactions and ensuring robots operate ethically, safely and intuitively. After all this is some next level sci fi stuff that none of us are really prepared for, Right? If you are a designer - no matter what field - you will find that a lot of opportunity is upcoming in robotics.

Here is a list of robotics companies that are currently hiring - although there aren’t many design roles now, I am sure they are coming very very soon.

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⚡ Tip

Object-Oriented Ontology

Sometimes I feel like I’m missing a crucial perspective in my design work. And it’s so hard to tell what it is. Like most of us, I too over-index on humans and designing around their needs.

You see, traditional design approaches have been heavily human-centric, focusing solely on user experiences and needs. But what if I told you there's a whole other world out there, one where objects have agency and autonomy of their own? I am talking about Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO).

As OOO theorist Graham Harman puts it, "OOO puts things at the center of being. We humans are entangled with things, but things don't derive their reality from their relation to humans." Wait, what? This means your designs shouldn't just be tools for human use - they need to have an inherent value and meaning of their own.

Think about it - how often have you designed something purely for function, without considering the hidden qualities and vivid, autonomous reality of the object itself? As Timothy Morton says, "OOO insists that objects are not just passive tools that humans use, but have a vivid, autonomous reality"

Here is my understanding of OOO for designers : bring out the hidden qualities of the objects you create and allow their autonomous reality to be expressed.

The hack is to start seeing the world through the eyes of your creations.

How does object A look at the word? How does Object X feel about humanity, culture and more? Instead of putting yourself in your users’ shoes, put yourself in your objects’ shoes.

Weird but cool.

Happy Designing!

💊 Resources

3 links to boost your creativity.

• Hue Tools Thousands of Color Names - great for naming your design concepts or CMF choices.

• One of my favourite book design mockups is here at Studio York Town.

• How Startup Equity Really Works is a super resourceful video by the guys over at Slidebean.