The Future Teams project aims to develop innovative technologies, spaces, and services that enhance team creativity and foster mutual care in the workplace. Prototypes include three buddy robots with communication skills aimed at enriching future teamwork.
Ricoh, Art and Program, and Ars Electronica Futurelab launched the collaborative research project in August 2022 with the mission to inspire and support human creativity in the future workplace. The team imagines a a future where humans and diverse beings from microorganisms to plants, robots, and AI work together as a team.
At the Open Futurelab 2023, three prototype robotic buddies were presented to the public. “Lumi” for example has an understanding of natural language and is able to generate illuminated images while “Foggy” balances the team’s emotional well-being by diffusing fragrances as a soothing mist. Additionally, plant-buddy “Echo” senses the environment and sings about nature and the Earth.
Building new kinds of teams
As society and technology rapidly evolve, they reshape the way we work. We are experiencing a rise in global and diverse co-creation, as well as an increase in remote collaboration. In this new era, how can we ignite creativity, foster collaboration, and cultivate exceptional teams? Moreover, future teams may include non-human members, encompassing various organisms such as microorganisms and plants, advanced technologies such as robots and AI, and even the Earth’s environment.
It is crucial to build inspiring, caring, and sustainable relationships with these entities, and adopt a perspective that extends beyond the human-centered approach. By developing innovative technologies and services as a new language for communication, work transcends its traditional economic role and becomes a source of creative inspiration.
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023, photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: Bettina Gangl
Future Teams – Prototype Demonstration at Open Futurelab 2023 photo: vog.photo
Future Teams concept sketch image: Nicolas Naveau
This project was part of the Open Futurelab at the Ars Electronica Festival 2023.
Credits
Ars Electronica Futurelab: Alexandre Bizri, Arno Deutschbauer, Peter Freudling, Roland Haring, Denise Hirtenfelder, Kyoko Kunoh, Otto Naderer, Nicolas Naveau, Hideaki Ogawa, Simon Schmid, Yoko Shimizu
PARTNER: Ricoh Co., Ltd., Art and Program, Inc.
Ricoh Co., Ltd. ist ein globaler Anbieter von digitalen Dienstleistungen, Druck- und Imaging-Lösungen.
Art and Program, Inc. ist ein Unternehmen von Kreativen, die die Technik des Programmierens nutzen, um Kunst zu schaffen.