Preferred Robotics
Smart Furniture Platform
As their design partner, we supported Preferred Robotics Inc. in the development and design of Kachaka, a smart furniture platform announced on February 1, 2023.
Kachaka comprises robotically operated furniture controllable by voice or app. People can start building their homelives around the platform by purchasing three components: Kachaka, Kachaka Shelf, and Kachaka Subscription.
We were involved in the project from its initial stages through to product launch, handling a series of design tasks including concept development, R&D support, app UI design, visual identity, and the launch website. To achieve design of the highest quality, we collaborated with product designer Gen Suzuki and invited Whatever Co. to produce the launch video.
A New Concept: Furniture That Moves
Kachaka is the robot behind the smart furniture, moving the furniture in response to voice or app commands. It can also memorize schedules, allowing users to customize its use to help them develop good habits, remember to do things, and more. Thanks to Preferred Robotics’ deep learning and voice recognition technologies, a new lifestyle begins with a simple “Hey, Kachaka!”
Rolling Abstract and Concrete Design into One
Having joined forces with Preferred Robotics, we worked with them over an extended period, from conceiving the product and service to designing in detail the hardware, UI/UX, and visual elements. Working against a backdrop of advanced and complex technology, we were an integral part of the Preferred Robotics team, designing a new approach to furniture in daily life, devising user-friendly interfaces, and considering mass production feasibility. Our process had us moving back and forth between abstract and concrete, discussion and prototyping, to create a unified design.
Project Information
Project Team
- Project Direction: Kinya Tagawa
- Concept, R&D Design Support - Project Direction: Kinya Tagawa
- Concept, R&D Design Support - Concept Design: Kinya TagawaKanako KawaharaKyoko Takahashi (ex-Takram)Gen Suzuki (GEN SUZUKI STUDIO)
- Concept, R&D Design Support - Concept Design: Kinya Tagawa
- Kachaka + Kachaka Shelf Design - Product Design: Gen Suzuki (GEN SUZUKI STUDIO)
- Kachaka + Kachaka Shelf Design - Sound Design: Keisuke Oyama
- Kachaka + Kachaka Shelf Design - Lighting Interaction Design: Tatsuya Narita
- VI Design - Project Direction: Kinya Tagawa
- VI Design - Strategy: Kanako Kawahara
- VI Design - Logo Mark Design: Tomoro Hanzawa
- VI Design - Graphic Design: Tomoro HanzawaKanako Kawahara
- VI Design - Motion Design: Ryo Kobayashi
- VI Design - Sound Design: Keisuke Oyama
- Launch Website Design - Project Direction: Kanako Kawahara
- Launch Website Design - Project Management: Yuki Takai
- Launch Website Design - Web Design: Kanako KawaharaTomoro HanzawaSuika Yamada
- Launch Website Design - Copywriting: Yoshifumi Yanai
- Launch Website Design - CGI Design: Ryo Kobayashi
- Launch Website Design - Development: Sohei KitadaNatsumi Ohe (THE GUILD)
- Launch Website Design - Illustration: Yutaka Kato
- App Design - Project Direction: Kanako Kawahara
- App Design - UI Design: Kanako KawaharaRyosuke Fujii
- Movie - Executive Creative Direction: Masashi Kawamura (Whatever Co.)
- Movie - Planning: Kyosuke TaniguchiRyo Yamashita (Whatever Co.)
- Movie - Produce: Keitaro Kamijo (Whatever Co.)Sunao NonakaAi Takahashi (TFC)
- Movie - Production Management: Yuto Murakami (TFC)
- Movie - Film Direction: Taiki Sakamaki (DADABI)
- Movie - Cinematography: Koudai Miyakawa
- Movie - Gaffering: Masahiro Inoue
- Movie - Key Griping: Yudai Usa (Arrive)
- Movie - Production Design: Hatsune Nakagomi
- Movie - Styling: Risa Ichimiya
- Movie - Hair & Make-up: Natsumi Sato
- Movie - Offline Editing: Ryosuke Murakami (DADABI)
- Movie - Coloring: Osamu Haga (artonFilm)
- Movie - Sound Mix: Mitsuha Yamaguchi (OMNIBUS JAPAN)
- Movie - Sound Effect: Kai Ishikawa (BISHOP MUSIC)
- Movie - Music Produce: Kai Ishikawa (BISHOP MUSIC)
Kinya Tagawa
Design Engineer, Project Director
Tatsuya Narita
Prototyping Engineer, Designer, Project Director
Suika Yamada
UI/UX Designer
Keisuke Oyama
Design Engineer, Sound Designer, Project Director
Ryosuke Fujii
Design Engineer
Yuki Takai
Project Designer, Draft Designer, Project Director
Tomoro Hanzawa
Graphic Designer, XR Designer, Project Director
Kanako Kawahara
Digital Product Designer, Project Director
Ryo Kobayashi
Visual Designer, Motion Designer
Yoshifumi Yanai
Verbal Designer, Project Director