The result of a collaboration between engineers, programmers, psychologists and designers, MOnarCH is an experiment in social robotics that aims to provide edutainment to children, visitors and staff at the Portuguese Oncology Institute at Lisbon.
The challenge behind designing the MOnarCH robot was creating a friendly, inviting aesthetic around a highly mechanical platform. The final look features a non-threatening overall stance with arms placed in a peaceful resting position that seems to await human feedback. Its upward, perm-smiling face maximizes view angles and reinforces the invitation for interaction. Body proportions and overall shapes were studied to mimic cute and recognizable animal features without being explicit.
Designer: David Gonçalves
