‘arı’ autonomous floor maintenance robot
for Ara Robotics
‘What should a cleaning robot look like?’
It should combine functionality with approachability. It must be compact and discreet, able to move through spaces without obstruction. Its appearance should feel friendly while deliberately avoiding humanoid gestures. Smooth surfaces, gentle curves, and subtle colors allow it to blend naturally into everyday environments, maintaining a presence that is both reassuring and efficient.
CLIENT
ARA robotics, Türkiye
ARA robotics team has been building robots since 2002, with more than 20 years of experience in the mobile robotics and commercial cleaning industry. ‘arı’ is an internationally funded start-up project.
SERVICES
product design
design engineering
project management
Understanding the product
From the very first briefing, the project presented a unique opportunity to approach design from the ground up. With the system still evolving, we were able to refine and enhance it alongside the design. Partnering with the Ara Robotics team at this early stage gave us the opportunity to co-define and navigate the design constraints. From a designer’s perspective, this approach allowed design and development to grow together — design thinking in its purest sense.
How to design a cleaning robot
Try. Tweak. Transform. Drawing on multiple associations, the form gradually emerged.
Establishing Principles
As Ara Robotics’ first product, the design establishes the company’s visual language and sets direction for future products. Its compact form, friendly presence, and avoidance of humanoid gestures allow it to fit seamlessly into everyday life without being intrusive.
Planning Low-Volume Production
The product was optimized for low-volume production, which posed challenges.
We creatively found solutions, provided production consultancy on materials and methods, and worked within the startup's available resources, navigating the limitations.
Smooth operation
The design was shaped by the robot’s motion characteristics—its decisive acceleration and steady speed in turns to flow seamlessly through spaces, ensuring a natural connection with its environment. Close collaboration with engineering ensured alignment between behavior and design. Unnecessary embellishments were avoided—no faces, no race car cues—resulting in a straightforward, functional form that reflects both motion and purpose.
