ZIBOT KK
Development of a kids' educational robot concept for entering the US market
ORGANIZATION
ZIBOT
YEAR
2018 (1y)
ROLE
디자인 엔지니어
기여
70%
RESPONSIBILITIES
Market Research, Concept Development, Prototyping
WITH
Amy Wang (프로젝트 매니저), Frank (제품 디자이너)
KEYWORDS
stem education, kids robot, product design, silicon valley
CHALLENGE
——
What Kind of Product Concept Is Suitable for Entering the U.S. Market?
ZIBOT Inc. is a China-based startup developing educational robots for children using natural language processing technology. After validating its product in the Chinese market, the company established a branch in Silicon Valley in 2018 to expand into the U.S. market. However, at the time, the team lacked sufficient data and insights about the American market, making the expansion effort particularly challenging. As a result, the primary mission of the U.S. product team was to gather concrete data and insights on the U.S. kids’ robotics market and identify potential opportunity areas for successful market entry.
APPROACH
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Market Research and Product Analysis of Kids’ Robots in the U.S.: Through desk research, I compiled a comprehensive spreadsheet detailing manufacturers, product specifications, key features, interactions, strengths, and weaknesses of kids’ robots available in the U.S. market. I also purchased and directly evaluated major products to better understand market trends, product characteristics, and potential opportunity areas. Based on these findings, I produced an in-depth analysis report.
Idea Workshop (Brainstorming): Together with the CEO and PM, we conducted an idea workshop based on the market and product analysis data. We extracted core keywords and experimented with various combinations to generate new ideas. Using these insights, we developed several initial product concepts reflecting features and design elements that would likely appeal to U.S. consumers.
Product Concept Design and Development: Among the generated ideas, we selected the most promising concept and developed a product prototype, including visual design. The process involved early-stage sketching, 3D modeling, and physical prototyping, ultimately defining the final form and functionality of the product.
ZIBOT KK
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Coding Education Through Color Recognition (Color Coding): To help children easily learn basic coding principles, the robot offers a feature that recognizes color patterns and performs corresponding actions. This intuitive and engaging approach captures children’s interest and naturally enhances their understanding of coding concepts.
Enhanced Expandability with Modular Handle Structure: The robot’s handle is designed with a modular structure, allowing various accessories to be attached. This provides flexibility for different uses, not only for educational purposes but also for play and exploratory activities.
Small and Playful Design: The compact and charming design helps children feel more familiar and connected to the robot. By offering a visually appealing yet functional design, the robot provides sensory enjoyment without compromising its usability.
IMPLEMENTATION
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Validating the Design Concept Through Prototyping: To meet the design concept goal of delivering a “small and charming” product image, we conducted multiple rounds of prototyping. By experimenting with various sizes and forms, we determined a feasible product scale and refined the design into a form close to the final product. Prototyping also enabled us to validate the functionality and usability of the design, leading to the development of an optimized product form.
Feasibility Testing Using Arduino and MIT App Inventor: To verify the viability of the color-coding functionality, we developed and tested a core feature prototype using Arduino and MIT App Inventor. Through initial testing, we identified functional limitations and improvement opportunities, which served as valuable input for the product development process. This stage allowed us to confirm the technical feasibility of the color recognition-based interaction early on.
Collaborating with the Design Team to Produce the CES 2019 Exhibition Mockup: Building on insights gained from iterative prototyping and testing, we worked closely with Frank, the lead designer at our China headquarters, to finalize the product design concept. Based on this concept, we produced a mockup for display at CES 2019, allowing industry stakeholders to experience the product’s look and functionality firsthand. This process helped finalize the detailed design of the product and enabled us to present a tangible prototype at a major global exhibition.
IMPACT
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Participation and Exhibition at CES 2019: The final mockup of ZIBOT KK was exhibited at the ZIBOT booth during CES 2019, marking a significant milestone in the company’s first entry into the U.S. market. As the first project undertaken by the ZIBOT U.S. product team, it was recognized as a strategic achievement aligned with the goal of expanding into the American market. In particular, showcasing the product at a global technology exhibition like CES provided a critical opportunity to enhance brand awareness and demonstrate ZIBOT’s market potential. This exhibition served as a key accomplishment that validated the company’s product design and development capabilities to a broader audience.
REFLECTION
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Turning Challenges into Learning Opportunities
In 2018, my internship experience in Silicon Valley turned out to be far different from what I had expected. I began my internship at the small U.S. branch of a Chinese startup, where the team consisted of only two people: the CTO and a PM. The team-building process and operational frameworks were still in their earliest stages. For me, as a university student at the time, it was an incredibly challenging environment. Frankly, I was filled with disappointment—this was nothing like the Silicon Valley I had dreamed of. However, having longed for this opportunity more than anyone, I was determined not to waste it and began tackling one challenge at a time.
First, I overcame communication barriers with the Chinese headquarters by actively utilizing visual materials and documentation. I also took the initiative to improve inefficient processes and helped streamline the team’s workflow. Moreover, I prioritized the team’s goals over my personal career objectives and committed fully to every assigned task. These efforts led to positive outcomes: I transitioned from an unpaid intern to a paid contractor and was invited to continue with the company for an additional year. Later, the company launched a new project based on the deliverables I had produced, and I was given substantial responsibility in product planning and design.
Through this experience, I learned that overcoming challenging environments brings even greater learning opportunities. It also instilled in me the mindset that sometimes, the difficulties we face may in fact be hidden opportunities.