In the long timeline of robotic design, only a rare few have cracked the code of being both capable and genuinely lovable. Baymax, Wall.E, EVE, Rosey the Robot – and if we’re being generous, Astro Boy. That’s about it. Most robots either veer too far into the uncanny valley or end up looking like industrial appliances. But the Kriket 3000, a new concept by industrial designer Shaun Wellens, might just be the next addition to that very short list.
At first glance, Kriket 3000 looks like it belongs in a Pixar movie or an optimistic sci-fi from the 70s. That’s not an accident. Wellens says the design pulls inspiration from products of the 60s and 70s, aiming to blend retro-futurism with present-day sensibilities. The result is something that feels familiar, even warm, despite its high-tech nature. In a world where AI is becoming both more powerful and more omnipresent, that’s no small achievement.
What makes Kriket feel so disarming? For starters, its form avoids anything angular or aggressive. Rounded limbs, soft edges, and a pristine white finish echo the non-threatening vibe of Baymax, but with a much more detailed anatomy. There’s articulation at every major joint, a visible backpack-like battery, subtle ribbed details, and a halo-like antenna that pushes the robot’s charm factor to near-angelic levels.
Its head – or rather, its unusually wide head – taps into something almost instinctual. The proportions mimic the way children’s heads are oversized compared to their bodies, creating an immediate impression of youth and innocence. Multiple cameras embedded in the head give it 360° awareness, and sensors scattered throughout the body help it gauge distance and depth. Up front, a screen displays a pair of expressive eyes, while a second display on the back shows the battery level. Unnecessary? Maybe. But it does create a sense of transparency – like the robot’s not hiding anything.
Kriket 3000 is just a concept for now. But it presents a vision of what future robots could be if they’re meant to coexist with humans in everyday life. Not cold, mechanical assistants, but endearing, approachable companions that feel more like helpful staff than sterile machines. The name tag on its chest reinforces that image. This isn’t a robot that’s going to chase you down a hallway – it’s the kind you’d feel okay leaving your kids around.
And honestly? If we had to pick between Kriket and one of those unnerving robotic dogs from Boston Dynamics, the choice would be pretty easy.
