Human-centric cobot for a pioneering robotics company
Pioneering South Korean robotics company Rainbow Robotics, a new venture born out of KAIST University and led by the scientists who developed the bi-pedal robot HUBO, wanted to develop their first fully designed commercial collaborative robot and build a brand identity to support it. The partnership spanned three years, involving a close collaboration between scientists, engineers, and designers based out of our Seoul studio.
Services
- Trend Forecasting & Vision Setting
- Ethnographic research
- Design & innovation workshops
- Product Design
- Design Engineering
- Colour, material & finish
- User Experience & UI
Learning
The project began with immersive research and interviews at a range of workplace environments. Spanning multiple countries, trade shows and different industry sectors the team sought valuable insights into how design could make Rainbow Robotics’ cobots more accessible to people and improve workflow efficiencies for a wider range of users and industries.
Leaping
We observed that robotics engineers have traditionally focused on developing the emerging technology rather than thinking about the aesthetics, ease-of-use and user interface of the machine. A key finding highlighted that cobots are often too complex in use and require an engineer to set-up and operate them. A significant failing, given their success is predicated on their ability to work alongside people collaboratively in a variety of industrial settings. What was missing was a ‘human touch’!
Landing
Taking inspiration from the word ‘rainbow’ the Prism DNA was born. The triangular body makes it easier to install in a diverse range of environments due to its compact design. The prism-shaped arms make the Co-bot easier to grip by hand and move during the manual operating process (teaching mode). Compared to traditional Co-bots, the RB Series naturally follows a straight line making it intuitive for the operator to recognise which direction the arm will travel in during operation, aiding close collaborative working.
Key features such as LED indicators on every joint give real-time feedback to enhance programming accuracy. A one-touch button on the teaching pendant ensures an error-free experience when marking the path for the RB Co-bot to follow.
To ensure the design and brand were aligned. A vibrant colour for the Co-bot was chosen strategically to enhance the visibility of the Co-bot in environments. The more visible a moving machine, the safer the work environment.
tangerine and the Rainbow robotics’ software and programming team members collaborated to create the completely new image-based GUI. The new all-in-one platform personalises the graphic interface by adapting the Co-bot’s function depending on the different type of users operating the system.
We also designed Rainbow Robotics’ new brand identity, including a wordmark, brand guidelines book, and marketing collateral. Helping to announce the company to its customers as a design-led organisation offering high-quality, intuitive, and innovative products.
Easily navigable solution to modernising current worldwide workshop capabilities. Space efficient design. Nice UX accompaniment and as a whole looks easy to use. Great approach to future needs for robotics.
Design Week Awards 2021 judges
It was a true meeting of scientific minds and design thinking that helped give form and function to a product that significantly enhances the user experience. This is what will drive the success of this new Co-bot within the workplace.
Young Choo Project Director and Head of tangerine’s Seoul studio in South Korea
