ori robotic furniture by fuseproject / yves béhar + MIT

ori is the robotic, moving furniture developed by fuseproject + yves béhar with MiT

‘ori’ has become the first company to introduce a family of intelligent, responsive technologies that combines robotics, architecture and design to enable effortless transformation of interior space. the debut heralds an era in which our domestic and work environments will dynamically conform to our activities, dramatically improving efficiency, utility and user experience.

video courtesy of ori

the initial application of the technology can transform a single studio space into a one-bedroom apartment, suited with a bedroom, living room and office. guided by the principal that interior space, particularly in high-density urban innovation centers around the world, has become too expensive to be static and unresponsive, this breakthrough innovation, technology and design create dynamic environments that act and feel as though they are substantially larger. the ‘ori’ system promises to liberate urban design, provide new user experiences and unlock the potential of the places people increasingly want to live, work and play.

the name of the product stems from the prefix of origami — to fold

‘ori’ has developed its initial family of connected products for small, modern, urban living, as well as the full brand and corresponding application in partnership with the award-winning design studio fuseproject, led by renowned designer yves béhar. ‘many people living in urban environments no longer have the luxury of space, or they are choosing to live in a smaller footprint. what ori does is to maximize the functionality of a space; with robotic technology it creates a beautiful and transformative living and working environment that is unlike anything the world has seen’, said béhar.

the installation creates many opportunities for interior configurations

‘ori’ offers intelligent space on demand: with the light touch of a finger, a spacious living room converts into a comfortable bedroom, a walk-in-closet, or an office, all connected to any smart-homes modular robotic technology and intelligent systems have almost limitless adaptability, enabling applications in office, retail, education, hospitality, medical and other urban settings where dynamic and responsive interior space could enable multi-functional efficiency and utility.

‘ori’ can be controlled remotely from a smart-phone

the innovations build on groundbreaking research at MIT’s media lab focused on using technology to respond to the challenges of global urbanization, led by MIT professor kent larson and his ‘CityHome’ project. media lab founder and technology expert nicholas negroponte was actively involved in the conception of this research project and is currently an advisor for ‘ori’. deriving its name from — origami — the japanese art of folding paper to create beautiful and remarkable objects. the title reflects the operation of this product fully, it will be exciting to see it rolled out in the future and how interior spaces will change with time.

‘ori’ the robotic furniture developed by fuseproject + yves béhar with MIT