Pawl – Robotic Companion for Pets
Designer: András Húnfalvi
Client: Pegasus AI Technologies (CN)
China-based Pegasus AI approached our studio to design a companion robot for pets. The collaboration began at the idea stage: the underlying technology was already available, while the product’s specific functions and physical identity were still taking shape.
Pawl provides interactive activities for pets while their owners are away. Long working days and commuting mean that many pets regularly spend hours alone – a particularly relevant context in China’s major cities. Our task was to create a character that would engage animals while appealing to their owners and fitting naturally into the home.
We developed four distinct design directions, ranging from more anthropomorphic concepts with faces to alternatives without facial features. A compact, cube-shaped head emerged as the most appropriate direction for the target audience. Blinking and eye contact bring the character to life, making interactions feel more immediate and responsive.
Safety and durability shaped the design alongside its playful expression. We avoided protruding details that animals could easily break or bite off, paying particular attention to reducing the risk of injury. The geometry also had to support the robot’s self-righting mechanism, allowing it to return to its operating position without assistance after being knocked over.
An interchangeable top section, resembling a hat or hairstyle, changes the robot’s appearance and accommodates different play attachments. This allows both its character and its play functions to be adapted.
We developed the final design in close collaboration with the Pegasus AI engineering team.
The design, the exterior geometry, and the internal technical structure were developed in harmony with one another, creating a unified whole in terms of the product’s appearance and functionality.
