Design Challenge:
design two small-scale robotic elements for a hotel room, intended to address conflict between romantic partners. The solution can be abstract.
Background:
Our project was inspired by the rocky relationship between Faye and Howard, the main characters in the science-fiction story, "The Thousand Dreams Of Stellavista". These characters are experiencing conflict, as the house they are vacationing in retains the emotional imprints of its former occupants, amplifying tensions and reviving past traumas. This speculative scenario became the foundation for designing a room-scale robotic intervention that allows partners to pause, self-regulate, and reconnect on their own terms. Our design task is to create a hotel room they can escape to for the night.
Solution 1 - Autonomy
A collapsible Kirigami dome controlled by touch sensors on the wall, providing users control over their environment; offering "alone time" when in a dispute, or an intimate space for both partners to share.
Solution 2 - Communication:
A laser-cut mesh wall with colorful LED lights, reflecting the emotional state of inhabitants; facilitating open expression and communication between partners.
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