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 Official Website (JA)

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.

Kachaka Product Design: The Kachaka robot was designed to blend naturally into daily life like a shadow cast by the furniture units it moves.

Kachaka Smartphone App Design: The app works seamlessly with Kachaka, allowing users to move furniture, give tidying-up instructions, and set schedules.

Kachaka Motion and Sound Logo Design: Based on a geometric motif combining rectangles and circles (also reflected in the product design), the logo expresses Kachaka’s key feature — movement — through a tilted element. The motion and sound convey Kachaka’s hackability and playfulness.

Brand Guidelines: We developed a flexible system that includes adaptable tone and manner guidelines and multiple color palettes for various scenarios.

ブランドガイドラインにおいてはシーンによって使い分けられるトーン＆マナーやマルチカラーなど、フレキシブルな展開が可能なシステムが構成されています。

Project Information

Client: Preferred Robotics
Expertise: Brand Hardware Business Digital
Year: 2023

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)