South Korean design studio AMONG recently shared a conceptual design for smart home controls that takes the shape of a cat.
The 'Apple Cat' from AMONG is a smart home controller that is part virtual assistant and part virtual companion, offering help with various tasks such as music selection, weather reporting and the operation of smart home appliances. Just like a real cat, the face of the Apple Cat has a screen that shows realistic features that move. To further add to the realism of operating one's smart home devices with the Apple Cat, AMONG imagines that users would have to call the Apple Cat by its designated name, or be within a five-meter range to activate it.
This pet-inspired controller speaks to the way that the integration of smart technology has the potential to feel like a living part of the home.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Virtual Companion
- The concept of a pet-inspired smart home controller presents an opportunity for the development of virtual companions that provide assistance and entertainment.
- Realistic User Interfaces
- The use of screens with realistic features that move on smart home controls opens up opportunities to create immersive and engaging user experiences.
- Integration of Smart Technology
- The AMONG Apple Cat design highlights the potential for smart technology to seamlessly integrate into the home environment, blurring the lines between technology and everyday life.
Where This Applies
- Smart Home Technology
- The pet-inspired smart home controller concept presents an innovative opportunity for companies in the smart home technology industry to design unique and engaging product offerings.
- Virtual Assistants
- The development of pet-inspired virtual assistants that provide assistance and companionship presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the virtual assistant industry.
- User Interface Design
- The realistic user interface features incorporated into the AMONG Apple Cat design create potential for disruptive innovations in the field of user interface design, particularly in the context of smart home controls.
