Brian

Brian is an interactive robot designed to express emotion through touch, movement, and color. Created as part of a project exploring physical interaction and character design, Brian responds to user input with distinct personality traits: he glows blue and offers high-fives when gently patted, but turns red and spins his eyes when poked or pushed the wrong way. His reactions bring playfulness, emotion, and surprise into the physical-digital interaction.

Throughout the design process, key skills in prototyping, manufacturing, and behavior scripting were developed. Brian was built using repurposed materials like LEGO parts, an old cassette case, and a tissue holder—reflecting a commitment to sustainable making. The use of 3D printing and a custom-designed coil spring enabled dynamic movement and integration with modular components. Collaborating closely with teammate Emma Mugnai, the project explored both technical problem-solving and aesthetic storytelling.

Brian also served as an opportunity to dive deeper into the Technology & Realization and Creativity & Aesthetics domains. His personality was developed through iterative testing, blending form, feedback, and motion to evoke emotional responses from users. At Demo Day, Brian captured attention not only as a robot but as a character with emotional depth—a real-life mood ring in robot form.

Brian shows how emotion-driven design and reused materials can bring interactivity to life in unexpected, charming ways.