Exploring the potential of soft robotics

Bridgestone approached IDEO to collaborate on a new presentation of their technology at a robotics conference in Tokyo. The aim was to illustrate the radical potential of their product, whilst challenging the industry pre-conceptions on what robots can and should be used for.

This short 12 week engagement consisted of research, inspiration, concept development, prototyping and building of an exhibition booth.

Our direction was determined by a collective interest in a future where robots are designed to move our minds rather than for efficiency, speed and scalability on the factory floor. What if robots could feel welcoming, trustworthy, compliant and warm? ‘Umaru’ - representing the feeling of sinking, being embraced by and surrendering to, was a prototype experience that asked visitors to rethink their proximity to robots and how they affect us mentally.

We designed an intimate, warm space amongst the bright lights and mechanical machinery on the exhibition floor, where visitors could escape from the noise and focus on their physical connection to Bridgestone‘s robotic actuators.

Inside a small antechamber, users were welcomed to rest on two 'beds', which were simple arrangements of horizontal actuators. Once seated, the visitors were slowly lowered into a recessed space and gradually lifted again - mimicing the natural movement of a breathing body. This was intended as a relaxing, comforting activity, where the use of technology unusually assisted visitors to switch off, tune-into themselves and forget the outside world. The experience was simultaneously a provocation for how/why we are using technology today, and an optimisitc prediction of alternative futures.

The prototype beds were hand-crafted by the IDEO team, with the assistance of Melanie Uematsu on upholstery.

Storytelling was an important aspect of this experience; since our prototypes were an extremely tangible, whole-body experience, we relied upon visual language, messaging and CMF cues to build a cohesive narrative.

To support this narrative, I produced a custom logo, business cards, information display board and supporting web page.

Chris Pearce, Kenta Kondo, Jan Rod, & Bridgestone Soft Robotics