Ikea's on a regular basis experiments discover the way forward for sensible dwelling expertise
Ikea's research and design laboratory, Space10, has created an online platform that suggests creative ways in which technology can be used to improve our homes. Ten design and technology studios were invited to create potential everyday experiment apps and tools that explore how AI can create a better everyday life at home using AI, machine learning, AR, spatial intelligence, interaction design, gaze, and gesture can be "tracking and beyond.
Some of the experiments seem really useful, especially the room design tools like Room Shuffle, Home Puzzle, and Room Editor, which let people imagine what a new layout or piece of furniture would look like at home.
Above: Hidden characters from Experience Design Studio Random. Here: Home Puzzle from Random Studio
At the most silly end of the spectrum are projects such as Extreme Measures, in which an AR elephant is used to measure space, and Hidden Characters, with which people can give their furniture a face – a sure blow of fire for children and people with anthropomorphic tendencies.
Elsewhere, Field Fort Builder creative studio developed a Buckaroo-style app that allows children to build and destroy a furniture fort without causing clutter – an appropriate option for proud families following Ikea Russia's instructions on building fortresses in the Would prefer not to follow Lockdown.
Extreme measures from Creative Studio Field
The experiments are just that – they don't have a practical function at the moment, and some of the trickier projects are for entertainment purposes only. However, the platform provides an accessible entry into the world of smart home technology, which often turns out to be too confusing or too dry after the novelty of home assistants and smart meters has waned.
Ikea has been keeping an eye on the technology space for some time, especially since the launch of its home smart system. Everyday Experiments is similar to the experimental content platform from Google Creative Lab and signals Ikea's ambition to establish itself as a worthy competitor in this area.
Fort Builder from Field
Optical sound system from ManvsMachine, an app that visualizes music in real time
dailyexperiments.com