Colors matter; CMF study on humanoid and Mobile robots

CMF is a crucial element in the product design and branding of humanoid robots. It plays a significant role in creating an emotional connection with the target audience and conveying the intended message. The appropriate use of color can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the robot and make it more attractive to potential customers. I have been investigating this area for a while and for a guide to designing a humanoid robot follow this blog.

Robots/colors

In product design, color is used to highlight the key features of the robot and differentiate it from its competitors. The choice of color can also influence the perception of the robot’s personality, making it appear friendly, approachable, or authoritative. For example, a robot designed for children may use bright and vibrant colors to create a playful and engaging persona, while a robot designed for industrial use may use darker and more subdued colors to convey a sense of durability and reliability.

In branding, color is used to create a consistent visual identity that reinforces the company’s values and mission. It is essential to choose colors that align with the brand’s personality and resonate with the target audience. For example, a company that values innovation and creativity may use bold and unconventional colors to stand out from the competition, while a company that values tradition and heritage may use classic and timeless colors to convey a sense of history and legacy.

Moreover, color can also influence the user’s perception of the robot’s functionality and capabilities. For instance, a robot designed for healthcare may use calming and soothing colors to create a sense of comfort and trust, while a robot designed for security may use bold and assertive colors to create a sense of authority and control.

In the abstract study, we tried to run a qualitative study with 12 participants to analyze their perception of the color of several humanoid and mobile robots and draw conclusions about the status quo. It is important to note that we can not assure that all the studied robots were being advised by a professional design team, but we tried to choose the most relevant and design-focused cases.

Overview of the Color of the Robots

White/Black/Grey

• Used a lot for the robots in our field, although it is fairly new so companies might not have a refined design yet. Neutral and inoffensive colors could be good for multi-purpose humanoid robots as well as robots trying to give off a more serious/professional impression. Does not offer a lot in terms of standing out. However, difficult to say what colors will be suitable or popular with robots in the future.
• The automotive industry is an interesting comparison, as these are the most common colors used. Other colors often have more personality and take up more place, whereas white, gray, and black are considered neutral, qualitative, and anonymous. For a humanoid robot, both anonymity and distinctiveness are desired attributes, which means we will have to decide whether the color should be neutral or contain more personality.
• Cleanliness and long-term use may be an issue when using white. Generally, we don’t think a worn look is desirable, but perhaps there is room for some of the features to show signs of wear (the skirt being scratchy or muddy may indicate that the robot is functional and robust for instance). White is typically associated with healthcare products, which could be used to lend the robot a clinical look.
• Black is a more aggressive color than white, especially when paired with red or orange. Maybe the display could shift between brighter and darker colors depending on the status of the robot. Below are some examples of famous humanoid robots that used the colors white and back:

White (dominant) robots; From Left to right, Asimo, Pepper, Xiaomi, Aila, Atlas

Black and white (equal) robots; Tesla (Concept), Halodi, Halodi X1, Pal, Surena IV,

Black (dominant) robots; Fourier GR-1, Figure 01, Darwin, Unitree Go

Blue

• Also a commonly used color for robots, especially for details and lights. Very prevalent in Knightscope and Cobalt, seems to be a go-to for robots that desire a clean and safe look.
• Often, digital interactive elements of a design use blue lights to communicate their purpose to the user. “You can do something here” or “You should put something here” is typically communicated in blue.
• The police blue is an interesting color to consider. Using the association this would bring towards police, the robot could be viewed as more authoritative.
• Maybe blue is not the best color for a robot intended for outside use, as it will blend in with the color of the sky.
• There is a wide range of blue color tones used by different robotic companies but based on our study, most of them convey the same message.

Blue (range) robots; Cobalt, DLR Justin, Diligent, Moxie

Orange/Yellow

• Some of the more utility/outdoor-focused models and particularly the shorter ones are partly orange/red/yellow, perhaps due to their lower visibility being shorter or operating in more varied and dynamic environments. These colors are also more associated with more industrial and heavy machinery, more utility-focused products. Depending on the operating environment these colors might not be as important for visibility but could still be useful to highlight functionalities and interaction.
• These colors can also be used to make the robot more aggressive-looking.
• Orange is closely associated with tools and industry.
• Examples of Yellow and orange can be mostly found in non-humanoid robots.

Orange/yellow (range) robots; Spot, Kuka Cobot, Flashbot, Kuka Industrial, iBubble

Red

• Is typically used to alert users to something. In our case, we could perhaps use it to highlight the security features of the robot, so that criminals are made aware of its functionality. Another use could be to use the color as a compliment to a more calm main color and contrast certain modules or design elements from each other.
• It is also the most eye-catching color of all, so if we really want to hammer down the distinctiveness requirement, we could perhaps make it completely red. Since we want a robot that is mostly neutral and adaptable for different environments though, it is probably not the best approach. Perhaps a balance here is what we want so that the robot can be unique enough without being too garish.
• Red lights often indicate danger or failures. The display and lights can be used to convey to users and criminals that the robot is out of service, contacting police or something else.
• The use of red, orange, and yellow in the design of humanoid robots is so rare.

Red (accent) robots; Twenty-one, Anymal, iGus

Green

• Green is often associated with eco-friendliness which is becoming an increasingly important factor for new products. Uncertain if this attribute would be desirable/needed in this market, however.
• Green could also be used to indicate that the robot is working correctly or that the situation is all clear, which could make users more at ease.
• Green is usually not used in the design and brand of humanoid robots, but there are a few examples. )It is more common that a blue/green tone be used in this industry and pure green is avoided.

Red (accent) robots; Agility robotics, e-gov

Trends:

• Large area covered with white
• light blue dot and strike light
• With the prevalence of social media, it might become increasingly important that products have an eye-catching/instantly recognizable silhouette. Ex PlayStation 2 vs 5 below where the latter is a lot more visually striking. Humanoids might not be featured in the same way on social media etc. but if robots become more mainstream this might be more relevant.

General thoughts in the case of security robots

• Usually 1–3 colors, with the third being the accent color.
• No big difference between outdoor and indoor in the robots we’ve looked at, but could be a good choice for highlighting different functionality, i.e make the outdoor version camouflaged / darker / use another accent color. Want to create a coherent brand language while still being distinct on the market and within our own product line.
• Color is often used to make the robot look active or alive. A “glowing” core indicates that the robot has a charge and is operating. Use certain colors to highlight when the robot switches from different modes. (Go to charge station mode, patrol mode, move to a new floor in parking lot mode, chase criminal mode, alert authorities mode etc.)
• Security companies/law enforcement (how do they show their purpose?)
• Their uniforms’ appearance is often situational. When they are acting more as keepers of order in places with more people they usually wear brighter colors to show their presence, which can facilitate a safer environment, but also so that people easily can spot them if they need assistance. In other situations their uniforms may be more anonymous, instead they show their profession using logos/badges as well as visible equipment (although these items might not necessarily be highlighted). Thus it seems the important thing is to use color/overall design to highlight the “security” features as well as logotypes which can indicate the purpose of the robot.
• Darker/more subtle colors could help convey a more serious and respectful expression. Although at the expense of visibility and perhaps uniqueness, find balance.
• Changing the light or its color could be used to change the appearance of the robot to indicate its current task/mode. If everything is clear it might have a neutral color (ex blue), when users are approaching it could turn to ex-green to signal to the user that it is aware of them and to put them more at ease, both through the change in atmosphere and them knowing that the robot is aware of them. Lastly, the robot could use yellow when it notices something suspicious and red to signal that it has determined that someone is committing a crime (how accurate/ smart will the robot be?). Might be undesirable to let the criminal know if they have been spotted or not (if they knew how the robot worked).

Material:

• Options
• Polymers: a wide range of plastic materials have been used in robotic products. Polymer materials like ABS can be used for the body of the robot. Polycarbonate can be used for aesthetic diffusion of light on the robot and in areas where transparency is needed to show inside components of the robot. Polyamides can be used for the section of the robot that holds the fire extinguisher, as it is a tough flame-retardant material. Competitors: knight scope uses plastic. Demand is growing for commercial robots with flexible exteriors, such as human-like “skin.” Moreover, it’s advantageous for cobots that work alongside humans to have soft surfaces. Rubber and soft plastics can meet that goal. Robots with rubber bodies are typically safer than those made from harder materials.
• Metals: aluminum alloys could be used as the Body of the robot. There is an increasing trend in the use of aluminum in the automotive industry. Aluminum is also a good material if you’re worried about a robot’s exterior becoming rusty over time because aluminum does not rust. Another thing that makes aluminum a popular option for robot exteriors is that it can be polished to a high shine. Some designers also use aluminum on robot bodies to protect more fragile parts. Steel is one of the materials used most often by robot builders. This sturdy metal is a smart choice if you’re building a robot that needs to stand up to harsh conditions.
• Naturals: cobalt uses fabric (the purpose of the design is to blend more with the decor rather than stand out) for a big portion of the robot’s body. Glass can also be used in areas where there are sensors or displays. Kevlar is a synthetic fiber frequently used for bulletproof vests. Some of its characteristics make it worth evaluating for robot exteriors, too. You could use it as a covering on robots that require safeguarding from extreme temperatures.
• A mixed material approach can be used to make the robot more aesthetically pleasing. For instance, a mix of plastics and aluminum materials. (e.g. cobalt)
• The functionality of the robot can highly determine the suitable material for the robot. The material a robot uses will depend primarily on its purpose. For instance, outdoor robots require much more durable materials compared to indoor robots. More durable materials could make the robot look more professional, thus increasing user acceptance and intimidating criminals.

Finish:

• Knightscope k3 makes use of different surface finishes on its surfaces. They use a matt rubber like finish on their vision module at the top with a secondary color. While the main surfaces of the body use a glossy surface finish with the primary color. The side and bottom surfaces use a more coarse matt finish with a secondary color.
• The knightscope k5 uses glossy finish on most of its surfaces with the primary color. The bottom surfaces have a fine matt finish with the secondary color.
• Cobalt uses fabric to gain a smoother, more indoors vibe. Maybe we could do something similar to encourage interaction by covering the display in fabric or making the robot look more soft in an indoor scenario like a hospital, but the texture could also let the robot be underestimated then lower the intimidating feature for potential criminals.
• Mixing the finishes to support the functionality of the different parts could be a good idea, for example using rubber or some other smooth finish around the intractable parts, a “colder” finish on the rest.