Image of design award that this project has won

Robot Mars: companion robot

Exploration

The Brazilian innovation centre CESAR wants to explore robotics and aims to develop an advanced robot in 10 years time. Spark is proud to be asked for support in taking the first steps.

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The trend

CESAR focuses on a trend showing that children in Brazil are becoming lonelier. Safety on the streets is decreasing, parents are both working more often and the number of one-child families is growing. Mars is a companion robot developed to support the child educationally, emotionally and physically.

Concept study

Emotionally engaging robotics

Iconic character

Prototype

Mars is now in the prototype stage. He can turn and tumble, show emotions, talk and carry out various (educational) programs: reading to the child, stimulating physical activity or for example coaching in brushing teeth.

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Form

He cannot move independently, with a reason: He looks so helpless – also thanks to his shape – that you just have to pick him up.

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World building

In addition to concept development and design, we developed an entire universe around Mars, including backstory and folklore. In this way the concept can be translated to, for example, film, gaming or schools.

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This project has been a thrill to work on: it is not only about the dry, technical challenge, but also about the emotional, conceptual context. This is where Spark sees huge opportunity for the robotic future.

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Hugo Honijk

Spark design & innovation

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