Pea Pod Educational Robot

Client country: China

Services: industrial design｜mechanical design｜electronic design｜functional prototyping｜mould development｜supply chain management

Project Background

With the advancement of technology, the education sector is also evolving. OPD Design was commissioned by a client to develop a smart educational robot specifically for children aged 5-12: the Pea Pod Educational Robot. This product aims to make English learning more engaging and efficient through interactive and personalized methods. Many current educational robots on the market suffer from issues such as limited content, poor interactivity, and subpar user experience. Safety is often overlooked as well. Therefore, we decided to develop an educational robot that can spark children’s interest in learning, provide personalized educational content, and ensure safety.

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Solution

Interactivity: Introduce a variety of interactive games and animations to make English learning more engaging.
Personalization: Provide customized content based on the cognitive levels of different age groups.
Safety: Use eco-friendly materials and include features like drop resistance and water resistance. All educational resources are strictly vetted.
Usability: Design a simple and intuitive user interface that is easy for children to use independently.

Product Development Process

Step 1

Industrial Design

Appearance Design: OPD Design’s team created a cute and rounded appearance with bright colors and cartoon patterns to attract children. The edges are rounded to prevent injuries. For example, the shell uses bright yellow and blue with cartoon animal designs.
Ergonomics: Considering the hand size and grip comfort of children, we designed handles and button layouts that fit their hands. The screen angle and position were adjusted multiple times to ensure comfort. For instance, the screen tilt angle was set to 30 degrees.
Material Selection: We chose durable and safe ABS plastic for the shell to ensure durability and safety. The surface is treated with eco-friendly paint, which is non-toxic and harmless. The shell also has an anti-slip treatment for better grip.

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Step 2

Mechanical Design

Structural Design: OPD Design’s mechanical team determined the internal structure, including the placement and fixation of components like the screen, battery, and processor. The design ensures good heat dissipation and stability. For example, a heat sink is placed between the screen and motherboard.
Heat Dissipation Design: To meet the heat dissipation needs of high-performance processors, we designed a cooling system with heat sinks and fans. The position of the heat dissipation holes was optimized for both functionality and aesthetics. The holes are hidden in decorative lines on the back.
Protection Design: We added drop and water resistance to enhance durability. The interior uses shock-absorbing materials, and the exterior has waterproof seals to ensure the device works even after accidental drops or splashes. For example, the device passed a 1-meter drop test.

Step 3

Hardware Development

Screen: Equipped with an 8-inch high-definition eye-protective touchscreen with 1080P resolution. The screen is scratch-resistant and supports multi-touch for easy operation.
Processor: We selected a high-performance, low-power processor to support smooth operation of various apps and games. The processor has a multi-core architecture for handling complex graphics and computations. For example, we used a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 series processor.
Storage: The educational robot has built-in large storage capacity to store more educational resources and applications. It also supports external memory card expansion for additional content. For example, it has 32GB of internal storage and supports up to 128GB TF cards.
Audio: High-quality speakers and microphones are included for clear voice interaction and sound output. The speakers have a stereo design, and the microphone has noise reduction for accurate voice recognition. For example, the speaker power is 1W.

Step 4

Firmware Development

Operating System: We customized the Android system to optimize the user experience, removing unnecessary features and simplifying the interface. The system uses a cartoon-style interface with bright colors and intuitive icons. For example, the main interface is designed as a virtual classroom.
Driver Programs: We developed drivers for all hardware modules to ensure they work together seamlessly. The drivers underwent multiple tests and optimizations to ensure system stability and compatibility. For example, the touchscreen driver was fine-tuned.
Power Management: We optimized the power management system to extend battery life. The system can intelligently adjust screen brightness and processor frequency to reduce unnecessary power consumption. For example, it can automatically adjust screen brightness based on ambient light.

Step 5

Prototyping and Testing

Prototype Making: After completing the initial physical samples, OPD Design invited several families to participate in a closed beta test to gather first-hand user feedback and make necessary adjustments. The prototypes went through multiple rounds of improvement to ensure all functions worked well. For example, the first batch of prototypes was tested by 10 families.
Function Testing: We conducted comprehensive tests on all functions to ensure each app runs smoothly. The tests covered hardware performance, software stability, and user interface friendliness. For example, we performed over 1,000 hours of function testing.
User Experience Testing: Through user interviews and surveys, we collected real feedback and made improvements. We paid special attention to children’s operational experience and parental satisfaction to ensure the product meets the needs of different users. For example, surveys showed that most parents wanted more parent-child interactive features.

Step 6

Mold Development

Mold Design: Based on the final design drawings, OPD Design’s team designed high-precision molds. The mold design considered production efficiency and cost to ensure mass production feasibility. For example, the mold design used a modular approach.
Mold Manufacturing: We partnered with experienced mold manufacturers to ensure the quality and efficiency of the molds. Multiple trial runs and adjustments were made during the manufacturing process to ensure the final mold’s precision and consistency. For example, the manufacturer had advanced CNC machining centers.
Trial Molding: We conducted multiple trial runs to adjust mold parameters and ensure product consistency and quality. Each component’s dimensions and shape were rigorously inspected to ensure the final product’s quality and appearance. For example, detailed measurements and visual inspections were done after each trial run.

Step 7

Supply Chain Management

Raw Material Supply: OPD Design collaborated with multiple high-quality suppliers to ensure the quality and supply stability of raw materials. Suppliers were carefully screened and evaluated to meet national and corporate standards. For example, the screen supplier went through multiple rounds of selection.
Manufacturer Selection: We partnered with experienced manufacturers to ensure smooth mass production. The manufacturers have advanced production equipment and strict quality management systems to meet large-scale production needs. For example, we chose a manufacturer with ISO9001 certification.
Quality Inspection: A dedicated quality inspection process was established to comprehensively check each batch of educational robots before shipment, ensuring they meet the highest standards. Inspections covered appearance, functionality, and performance to ensure each device meets quality standards. For example, every batch undergoes rigorous quality checks.

Value

Value to the Client

Enhanced Market Competitiveness: Unique design and features make the Pea Pod Educational Robot stand out in a competitive market.
Increased Brand Influence: High-quality products and excellent user experiences enhance the brand image.
Improved User Satisfaction: Rich content and personalized learning experiences increase user satisfaction.
More Sales Opportunities: Multi-functionality and ease of use attract a wide range of users, providing more sales channels.
Data-Driven Improvements: Continuous data collection and analysis help optimize the educational robot and service.

Through the entire process from concept to market, OPD Design successfully helped the client develop the Pea Pod Educational Robot. This product not only addresses the many issues found in current educational robots but also brings significant value to the client. The Pea Pod Educational Robot not only sparks children’s interest in learning but also helps parents better monitor and guide their children’s learning. It enhances the client’s market competitiveness, brand influence, and user satisfaction, provides more sales opportunities, and offers data-driven continuous improvement. senior care robot we developed together not only met but exceeded our expectations. It has received widespread praise from customers and has positioned us as leaders in the industry. We look forward to continuing our partnership and exploring more innovative solutions.”

This case study showcases OPD Design’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients. We are proud to have contributed to the success of YYD’s senior care robot and look forward to future collaborations.