Interview about Arnold-II Service Robot for Restaurants, winner of the A' Computer Graphics, 3D Modeling, Texturing, and Rendering Design Award 2024
This is a robot design base on retrofuturism in a fictional world . The Arnold-II is the second type from Arnold Industries, and it's also the most successful product. It's designed for restaurant as a waiter. Customers can directly use this robot to place orders, receive their meals, and complete the payment process. This robot will completely replace human workers in the restaurant.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsIn fact, these two aspects are not at odds at all; they actually complement each other visually. The design language of the 1970s and 1980s often features smooth and rounded forms, which align perfectly with the visual language of a service robot. During the initial concept phase, I had already decided on this design style, and I focused on enhancing elements that convey a sense of approachability. For instance, I carefully chose colors that would support this vision: the vibrant orange not only boosts the robot’s friendly appearance but also stimulates the appetite of restaurant patrons. In this way, the design language of the robot seamlessly merges retrofuturism with the welcoming atmosphere of a fast-food restaurant.
This robot is designed for fast-food restaurants, so high efficiency is essential. On smooth surfaces, wheels are definitely more efficient than walking; however, wheels cannot operate effectively on complex terrains. Therefore, the robot is equipped with dual locomotion. These two modes of movement not only increase the robot's operational efficiency but also provide the capability to navigate more challenging terrain when necessary.
First of all, as a restaurant service robot, it should have all the functions of a human waiter, such as taking orders, serving food, and processing payments. Therefore, the first step in designing the robot was to implement these basic functions. For instance, the robot needs to be able to communicate with people, so it is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker. If customers cannot communicate with the robot using voice, they can choose to use the keyboard and screen on the robot for text-based interaction. Since the robot already has a keyboard and screen, the payment functionality is seamlessly integrated, enabling it to perform all the tasks of a human waiter. On this foundation, I decided to add features that human waiters could never have, such as an oven built into the robot's waist and a vacuum cleaner at the base, making the robot more versatile and powerful. While designing these features, I consistently maintained a smooth and rounded design language, applying this visual style to every aspect of the robot.
As I mentioned in my previous answer, the robot's functions must surpass those of human waitstaff. Robots not only need to complete the tasks of human servers but also need to have additional capabilities. With this concept in mind, I decided to incorporate food preparation equipment into the robot, such as a soda dispenser, oven, or air fryer. This way, different models of the robot can serve completely different functions. For example, some robots are responsible for providing beverages, while others serve snacks. Unlike human servers who have to run back and forth to bring drinks and snacks to guests, these robots can offer these simple services instantly, greatly enhancing the dining experience and improving service efficiency.
I drew a lot of inspiration from industrial design in the 1970s and 1980s, considering the ideas of those industrial designers and studying how they seamlessly combined aesthetics with functionality. I believe that good design must balance both form and function, but everything should start with the functional requirements. So, I first thought about what functions the robot needed. For example, it needs eyes to see, ears to hear, and a mouth to speak, so multi-angle cameras, microphones, and speakers became essential components. While designing these functional instruments, I consistently maintained a cohesive visual language, drawing from the designs of vintage radios and Walkmans. Ultimately, I combined all these elements into a unified design.
Retrofuturism is composed of both retro and futuristic elements, so I wanted to incorporate a significant amount of Space Age design language into my work. I believe there are two crucial elements from the Space Age: bold and vibrant colors, and simple geometric shapes. Thus, in my robot design, I used a very bright orange and combined circular and blocky forms. By extensively using these visual elements, the robot successfully conveys the Space Age aesthetic.
My design approach is quite simple and consists of two main points: the first is to emphasize the retro aspect in the visual core, and the second is to highlight futurism in the details and functionality. For instance, the arms and thighs of the robot are designed in a very Space Age style, featuring simple geometric shapes and vibrant orange. However, the sensors and indicator lights are designed to look highly futuristic, full of a sense of advanced technology. These details are not immediately noticeable and visually serve as secondary elements, supporting the retro features while still subtly showcasing the robot's technological sophistication. I also incorporated modern graphic design elements to further enhance the futuristic feel.
When designing the robot, the question I considered most was: "What additional functions can a robotic waiter have compared to a human waiter?" After observing human waitstaff cleaning up, I realized that the robot could incorporate the same function but in a more convenient and efficient way—ideally completing the task while moving. So, I integrated a vacuum cleaner into the robot's legs, enabling it to perform simple cleaning tasks at any time. In a fully automated restaurant, the robot can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. For example, it can sweep the floor while moving or prepare a snack for one customer while taking an order from the next. This greatly enhances the robot's efficiency.
When I first designed this robot, the overall design direction leaned more towards a humanoid approach. It had a human-like face, and its body proportions closely resembled those of a human. However, humanoid robots do not differ functionally from humans; they exist solely to replace humans without enhancing work efficiency or surpassing human limitations. So, I decided to change the design direction. I wanted to emphasize the unique functions that robots can perform—things that humans cannot do—rather than simply replicating human abilities.
Such robots will significantly enhance human living environments and quality of life. They will become as essential as smartphones, appearing in every corner of human society. As products, they will certainly feature highly appealing aesthetic designs, much like cars and electronic devices, with these designs being a major factor in attracting consumers. The interaction between robots and humans will also become increasingly seamless, convenient, and straightforward as technology continues to advance.
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