Project CHRONOS
Lenovo worked with Huge to design and develop a functional prototype for the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show.
Project Chronos is a set-top box, packed with sensors and processing power for VR video and motion capture.
Project Role: Lead Designer / Design and Development
Lenovo’s Project Chronos is a new technology that captures a user’s movement. It enables them to interact with and perform activities in 3D virtual worlds without glasses or wearables, making it easier than ever before for users to enter 3D-rendered virtual environments.
Phase 1 / Brief
Due to the expedited project timeline, we were given rough hardware internals and functional product needs to guide concepting.
Different component architectures were explored to gain insight into what proportions could be yielded.
This was important in order to visually reduce the presence for a comparatively large set-top box.
Phase 1 / Concepts
Preliminary concepting began around the component layouts to highlight specific aesthetic and functional differences.
Phase 1 / Highlights
Some concepts were valued for their ‘stand-out’ presence from typical set-top boxes; a great plus for a conceptual product to gather attention and drive excitement for a new product category.
Phase 1 / SIWVL
SWIVL stood out for its functional breakup of components lending to its unique aesthetics.
User-facing motion-capturing sensors are separated and can be easily adjusted. This adjustment also makes it possible to wall-mount the device for added adaptability to different user needs.
Phase 2
Further Exploration
Taking SWIVL’s basic layout and key differentiating features, two further aesthetic directions were explored.
One, detailing out the initial concept and another to push the lifestyle aesthetic a little further. Preliminary remote designs that reflected the console’s aesthetics were also introduced.
Phase 2 / SWVL
The original SWIVL was chosen both for its aesthetics and for mechanical feasibility in the time available for a functional prototype.
A finalized internal package was established and functional specifics were incorporated into the chosen direction.
Adequate venting was principally important as well as building around off-the-shelf component boards and sensor housings.
CMF recommendations were shared in order to expedite development.
Phase 3 / Development
With ongoing engineering development, evolving component and airflow requirements were adjusted for and incorporated.
Concurrent development and options for the remote were also created to keep to the project timeline.
Phase 3
Functional Prototype
A preliminary prototype was constructed to both confirm mechanical functionality and test the proposed CMF.
Phase 3 / New Package
With ongoing engineering development, the internal package made a big shift for a much more compact form factor as well as to meet evolving functional requirements, greatly affecting the overall proportions and detailing.
Many expedited solutions were needed to not only adapt to changing hardware, but to also keep to the design intent of the initial concept.
Phase 3 / Refinement
Upon reflection of the new compact design, details and proportions were further developed into the final product.
Displayed at the
Consumer Electronics Show 2023
