The current technological trends demonstrate one thing above all: AI-driven products, robotics and natural interaction are at the heart of innovation. A robot vacuum cleaner with a gripper arm, an AI assistant that moves freely around the home or a children’s toy that recognizes people and objects. This seems like something from another world and leaves many people with mixed feelings. Never before has technology changed our interaction with products so fundamentally.
In a future in which we communicate with objects more and more naturally, key design questions are coming into focus: How can autonomous, proactive products be designed responsibly? To what extent can technology feel “human”? And in which areas of application is there the greatest potential for self-thinking & self-acting products? Digital design is no longer limited to screens - it is increasingly becoming a central element of product design.
In this project course, students focused in particular on the question: How should products be designed when the inanimate object becomes a partner? And which use cases can actually be meaningful, responsible and problem-solving applications for “living products”.
Designed to support people with cognitive impairments in living more independently.
taskio is an interactive task manager developed for individuals with cognitive disabilities, such as Down syndrome. It assists users in building routines, managing tasks, and navigating everyday life with more autonomy and confidence. The system features an analog-inspired display that clearly shows the time of day, weekdays (color-coded for accessibility), and task progress.
Each user is greeted by a personalized, AI-generated avatar. Real staff photos and fingerprint login ensure familiarity and security, while the monitor – wall-mounted for stability and space efficiency – automatically adjusts its height based on user position, detected via a ToF sensor.
A tactile slider lets users complete tasks by physically pressing it – a clear, satisfying action that marks the task as done and reinforces engagement. Animated visuals provide intuitive feedback, making the experience both understandable and enjoyable. Staff can configure and manage all task plans easily via a connected app.
taskio stands for a new kind of assistive technology – one that is intuitive, inclusive, and designed to foster real independence in everyday life.
