SMORNER

Amplifying the kitchen counter-top experience for every household.

Mentored by Anudeep Ayyagari | UX Design fellow at GrowthSchool)

If you are short of time, you can watch this video too.

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever dreaded the task of cleaning the kitchen without sacrificing other important tasks? I have something interesting for you!

Cleaning the kitchen counter can be a real struggle for busy parents, bachelors, and individuals. With so much to do and so little time, the thought of wiping away spills and crumbs can feel like an impossible chore. It’s a constant battle against messiness, making it hard to keep up with the never-ending cycle of cleaning.

This gave me an idea of automating the chore while the user can focus on other important tasks.

In this case study, you will discover:

1. How to use the device in an efficient way in the kitchen while cooking or doing the dishes.
2. It helps to understand that the productivity is affected without one more person’s help in the kitchen for cleaning and organizing the items.
3. The users who have little to no time lose sleep over a dirty kitchen because of a hectic schedule.
4. People often keep more than an hour every week to clean the kitchen thereby sacrificing the leisure time with their loved ones.

What I want the readers to reflect upon:

1. Have you ever felt like cleaning the kitchen is a task that shouldn’t be done by humans to not waste their time?
2. Did you have to cancel on your meetings/get-togethers because this chore was on your list that was pending from morning?
3. I’m sure of this fact you have felt the need to hire a person just to clean the countertop and dishes so that you can cook peacefully without disturbing your chain of thoughts about delicious recipes.

THE REASON BEHIND THIS COOL GADGET IS ABOUT TO REVEAL!

Introducing the SMORNER

Smart — Motor — Cleaner : SMORNER (Now you know why..)

Image 01: Closer look of the product (3D front view)

Image 02: Demonstration of Smorner on the kitchen counter-top

Majority of the users are either working professionals or bachelors who are staying away from their parents. And in this scenario, time is crucial in terms of managing the house especially when you have a baby. A cleaning robot for the kitchen can help to keep your countertop clean without having to spend time and effort manually cleaning it.

When interviewing the users, I found out that they didn’t feel like doing this chore early morning or after reaching home. They yearned for something that made their life easier when it came to cleaning the kitchen.

And so I designed a small robot that efficiently cleans surfaces, including kitchen countertops, with precision and thoroughness. By using a cleaning robot, you can save time that would have been spent on manual cleaning, allowing you to focus on other tasks or activities.

These robots can provide consistent cleaning results, ensuring that your kitchen countertop is consistently maintained in a clean state.

Let’s look at the specifications of the product:

First of all, you might be thinking why is it triangle?

Well, if you notice closely in the kitchen, we have geometric edges and no smooth corners. And in this perspective we need something that cleans every nook and corner of the surface area. Triangle shaped product was the best option compared to a square. This is a compact shape and covers our ignored corners.

Bottom View: The main work is done by the bottom portion of the product. It has suction duct to suck all the dry and dust particles, 3 nozzles for spraying the cleaning solution, circular wheels to cover 45 degree angles of free movement, 2 suction cups to hold the surface for grip when needed, circular brush, a sensor to detect the type of surface the robot has to clean without any damage to the material and lastly, the cleaner that wipes the wet surface clean.

Top view: Smorner has a power button on the top for the user to switch it on and continue with the cleaning business. Kept it minimal.

Angles & Dimensions: The product is a compact device that is easy to travel with if you are on a vacation and wants to clean small surfaces. With 12x15 cm dimension, it becomes a perfect portable device in the kitchen.

Side Front View — 1: The front has a sensor to map the area along with a charging port on the right.

Side Back View — 2: The back side is called the crab side because these rods are going to be used as a multipurpose rods which will help clean the gas stove surface. It also helps in pushing the wet veggie scraps into the sink.

The features of the product are as follows:

1. Detects what kind of a surface has to be cleaned for proper maintenance, for example, granite, marble, laminate, wallpaper, wood, stone or glass.
2. The product is waterproof as it have to deal with moist and wet areas constantly.
3. Shows the temperature of the kitchen while cooking and reminds to switch on the exhaust machine.
4. Pushes the veggie scraps into the sink.
5. Compatible with Alexa and Siri.

LET’S GO THROUGH OUR USER’S JOURNEY AND FIND OUT THE DIFFERENCE

First user’s Journey

Scenario 1: A busy user’s nightmare (Without Smorner)

1: Shows a user entering the kitchen and encountering a dirty countertop, his expression is one of frustration and anxious.

2: A close-up view of the messy countertop filled with dishes and food spills.

3: The user is checking the time, looking worried as he realize he’s running late.

4: The user quickly grabs their work bag and keys, preparing to leave.

5: The user leaves the kitchen, casting a final glance back at the mess.

6: The front door closes behind the user as they head off to work, leaving the chaos of the kitchen behind.

Second user’s Journey

Scenario 2: A hygienic kitchen can turn the busy user’s day into a blessing

1: Shows a user entering the kitchen and encountering a clean countertop because of last night’s cleaning activity of the robot, her expression is one of relaxed and ready to make delicious breakfast.

2: Happily starts the preparation. Meanwhile switched on the robot for further help.

3: While cutting and washing veggies, water is splashed, the scraps are pushed into the sink to collectively clean and throw the scraps in the bin. The robot is cleaning the countertop making sure its hygienic and grime free for next usage.

4: Has breakfast before time with more time to spare.

5: Looks at the clock and packs the lunch.

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6: Ready to leave for work on time.

Benefits of Smorner for the Kitchen:

1. Time-saving capabilities: Cleaning robots can efficiently clean the kitchen area, saving you valuable time and effort.
2. Improved cleanliness and hygiene: These robots are designed to clean thoroughly, ensuring a clean and hygienic kitchen environment.
3. Convenience for busy individuals: With a cleaning robot, you can automate the cleaning process, allowing you to focus on other tasks while the robot takes care of the kitchen cleaning.
4. Integration with smart home systems: Many cleaning robots can be integrated with smart home systems, allowing you to control them remotely or schedule cleaning sessions.

Positive Environmental Impacts of Smorner for the Kitchen:

1. Energy efficiency: Cleaning robots are designed to be energy-efficient, consuming less power compared to traditional cleaning methods.
2. Reduced chemical usage: Some cleaning robots utilize advanced cleaning technologies that require minimal or no chemical cleaning agents, reducing the use of harmful chemicals in the kitchen.
3. Waste reduction: By efficiently cleaning the kitchen area, cleaning robots can help reduce waste generated from manual cleaning methods, such as disposable wipes or paper towels.
4. Improved air quality: Cleaning robots often come equipped with filters that can capture dust, allergens, and other airborne particles, leading to improved air quality in the kitchen.

LET US LOOK AT THE CORE PROBLEMS THAT I FACED DUE TO WHICH I DESIGNED SMORNER

The core problem here is the sheer restless feeling of cleaning an unhygienic kitchen for healthy eating. If the kitchen stays as is then it encourages the user to order in from food apps, that will be a unhealthy choice. Also, there will be fear of infestation.

1. Time Constraints: Individuals often struggle to find time for thorough cleaning tasks like washing the kitchen countertop. The demands of work, family, and other responsibilities leave little time for such chores.
2. Fatigue and Exhaustion: After a long day of work or managing various tasks, people may feel tired and lack the energy to engage in cleaning activities, including washing the kitchen countertop.
3. Prioritization: With numerous tasks vying for attention, cleaning the kitchen countertop may not always be the top priority. People may choose to allocate their limited time and energy to other pressing matters.
4. Consistency: Maintaining a clean kitchen countertop requires consistency and regular cleaning. However, in a busy world, maintaining this consistency can be challenging, leading to the accumulation of dirt and grime.
5. Multitasking: Trying to balance multiple responsibilities simultaneously can make it difficult to focus on cleaning tasks effectively. Individuals may find it hard to dedicate uninterrupted time to washing the kitchen countertop.
6. Lack of Motivation: The repetitive nature of cleaning tasks can lead to a lack of motivation, especially when faced with a hectic schedule. This lack of motivation can further deter individuals from keeping their kitchen countertops clean.
7. Inadequate Supplies: Sometimes, individuals may run out of cleaning supplies or lack the necessary tools to wash the kitchen countertop efficiently. This can act as a barrier to maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen.
8. Clutter and Disorganization: A busy lifestyle can contribute to clutter and disorganization in the kitchen, making it harder to access the countertop for cleaning purposes. Disorganized spaces can hinder the cleaning process.

SMORNER is mainly targeted for anyone and everyone who use the kitchen on a daily basis:

1. Caterers’ kitchen
2. Restaurants
3. In reality cooking shows
4. Religious places where food offerings are made
5. Hostel mess
6. Busy Parents with a child
7. Bachelors who stay alone

LET’S SEE HOW THIS PROBLEM CAME INTO PICTURE

The best part of this process was Crazy 8s. This is where I converged my ideas into this one amazing product. Let’s see how.

I got 8 ideas in 8 minutes after multiple 8 minute sessions and here are those ideas

Out of these I selected 3 ideas

And eventually selected 1 idea that had other ideas added to it. this idea had the core problem and was solving the cleaning issue for the user without being physically present in the space.

After conducting the user interviews, I got to know the problems they would face if this product isn’t in the kitchen. And it helped me to select the final product for the kitchen.

1. Ignorance: The late night work shifts or a crying baby can become a decision point to clean the kitchen counter next day.
2. Ineffective cleaning materials: Sometimes, the schedule can be hectic and you can forget to get the necessary materials for cleaning and even if you do they aren’t effective. the nooks and crannies remain unclean.
3. Heavy appliances: Our kitchen counter is the space where we keep accessible appliances especially the heavy ones for easy usage. This causes to store dust underneath the appliance.
4. Pest Infestation: If not cleaned properly there will be insects and roaches in the one place where you don’t to see them. Hence, deep cleaning is not possible on a daily basis because it is a time consuming process for the user to even think about it.
5. Dirt & grime: Even when the deep cleaning is done, the folding edges like gas stove have sticky and tar like substance stuck on the edges, these type of greasy dirt is not easy to remove by the user, this causes a lot of energy and time plus physical discomfort.

THE BIG LITTLE DECISIONS TAKEN TO REFINE THE PROBLEM

Yes, the refinement of this product was crucial in order to make it functional and seamless in the kitchen.

1. Shape and Size of the product was a concern. I analyzed the kitchen interiors and found out that the corners and edges are sharp. In general you only find a circular shaped robot cleaner but for the kitchen I had to re-think the possibilities to cover the area in a much better way.
2. The placement of the area mapping sensor were initially placed at the back but after the interview questionnaire, I reworked on the prototype and placed the mapping sensor in front.
3. The crab side section that cleans elevated surfaces like gas stove was a questionable feature till I re-worked on it and modified it a bit to suit the indian gas stoves; since they are heightened from the surface of the kitchen.
4. The power switch button was placed at the bottom as any other flat surfaced appliance because the user can just pick it up, flip it and switch it on. Then I thought it’s a lot of actions just to switch on the power button. So to add the playfulness, I placed the button on top surface of the product to avoid excess steps.
5. The surface sensor is something that is unusual in a product. Smorner has a special sensor to detect the type of surface you have in the kitchen. And I was skeptical at first but after the feedbacks from my team mates I found out that this feature is quite useful to protect the different varieties of surfaces like glass, granite, marble, etc.
6. I had kept the wheels in 90 degree angles in the previous versions, the thought of free movement of the product was restricted because the angles gave limited expansion and area to cover. Once again, refining the prototype that covers more acute angles for cleaning is efficient that 90 degree angles.

THINGS I LEARNT FROM THIS PROCESS

1. Problem-Solving Skills: Developing strong problem-solving skills to address user needs and pain points. Learning to identify and prioritize design problems and come up with creative solutions.
2. Iterative Design Process: Embracing the iterative nature of UX design and the need for continuous feedback and improvement. Learning to prototype, test, and iterate on designs based on user feedback as many times as possible for better refinement.
3. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Recognizing the importance of designing for all users, including those with disabilities. Learning about accessibility guidelines and best practices to create inclusive designs.
4. Failed multiple times but never gave up: My ideas were unclear onto how I should go micro into a user’s problem, took multiple iterations to find my core problem for the user. Failing was the integral part in this exercise and I’m glad I failed multiple times to come to a brilliant solution for the kitchen mess.

IF I HAD TWO MORE WEEKS, THEN I WOULD…

1. Try to add the recharge/refilling station for the robot. The same can be used for disinfecting the robot externally.
2. Try to add the filters inside the bot near the suction duct for easy detachable solution.
3. Try to monitor the progress through the app display on the phone.
4. Try to think about how I can make the robot clean the surfaces vertically too.
5. May be think about the sensor placements and add more buttons for a wider range of solutions to solve (buttons can be functioned through an app)
6. May be try to integrate it with smart home system.

YOUR FEEDBACK IS VITAL FOR MY GROWTH, SO DROP IT IN THE COMMENTS GO GO GO!

1. User Journeys — Is there anything that was unclear in the user journeys, let me know.
2. Low-fi Prototype — Is there anything in the prototype that you think I can enhance, let me know.
3. Suggestions — Anything that you wanna say about this case study.

HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

This extensive course on UX design has got me thinking a little too much since December and I didn’t know I had that potential until my mentor, Mr. Anudeep Ayyagari, made us think in such a challenging way. Truly grateful to have received his immense knowledge and understanding on the topic. He has been an honest and a wonderful teacher to all of us.

I have really great team members — Sindhura, Manojkumar, Mohini, Mrinal, Diva, Kabilesh, Mohit, Jai Ganesh; they have been supportive, helpful and insightful throughout the journey.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” — Steve Jobs

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