October 4, 2024

Glüxkind

Ella & Rosa Smart Stroller Companion App

humanizing the world’s first truly intelligent stroller, and turning the app into more than just a remote control

Glüxkind set out to reinvent the stroller experience with Ella—a self-driving, computer-vision-assisted stroller—and Rosa, its lighter sibling built without autonomous navigation. We were asked to design the companion app that would bring this technology to life for parents. The challenge: make next-generation robotics feel simple, safe, and intuitive. The result was an experience that turned complex tech into calm confidence.

we designed for emotion, not just innovation.

Glüxkind’s hardware was world-class, but its experience needed empathy. Parents shouldn’t feel like they’re operating a robot—they should feel supported by one. We built a companion app that adapts to context, surfaces the right action at the right time, and quietly disappears when not needed. It translated autonomy, safety, and data into trust and delight. Smart, yes—but also deeply human.

the problem we aimed to solve

how do you make an AI stroller feel natural, not novel?

Glüxkind’s Ella stroller could brake on hills, detect obstacles, and follow parents autonomously. Rosa shared the same design DNA without the the advanced computer vision bar’s assistance.

But both relied on blinking lights and buttons for feedback—confusing and stressful for multitasking parents. Our challenge was to create a single companion experience that unified both products, providing reassurance, simplicity, and clarity, whether powered by AI or not.

phase one
3-week start from experience sprint

We observed parents in real contexts—parks, sidewalks, malls—to understand the emotional realities of stroller use. Through these sessions, one insight defined the entire product: parents don’t want another screen; they want confidence. That became our foundation for every design choice.

Parent and caregiver research
Context-of-use observation
Brand immersion with Glüxkind
Emotional journey mapping
Experience principle definition

phase two
Experience architecture & adaptive interaction model

We created a dynamic interface that adapts to the stroller model and user’s context. When paired with Ella, parents could summon, monitor, and customize behaviours. With Rosa, the app simplified to essentials—status, battery, lock, and alerts. The app recognized its hardware automatically and presented only relevant features, keeping everything approachable and elegant.

Model-adaptive information architecture
Proximity-based interface logic
One-tap control hierarchy
Contextual notification design
Prototype-driven validation

phase three
visual system & sensory feedback

We designed a visual language that extended Glüxkind’s premium hardware aesthetic, soft gradients, motion that breathed, and haptic cues that reassured. Each feedback event, like braking, following, or obstacle detection, had its own visual signature, creating a sensory bridge between physical and digital.

Unified design system for Ella and Rosa
Haptic and motion behaviour design
Accessibility contrast testing
Emotional tone definition
Dev-ready complete design

phase four

the solution we came up with

an adaptive companion app that translates advanced robotics into peace of mind.

The Glüxkind Companion App unified Ella and Rosa under one simple experience. Parents could summon or lock the stroller, monitor safety status, and personalize behaviors without friction. The app anticipated needs instead of adding tasks—bridging hardware and humanity in every interaction.

experience intent
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the outcome

The companion app turned Glüxkind’s robotics into reassurance. It defined a UX language that bridged autonomy and empathy, setting the benchmark for the company’s future connected products. Though it never launched, the design still shapes how Glüxkind tells its story today—proof that even unbuilt work can leave a legacy

Client Name
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a pretty big win, no matter how you count it...  

78

%
increase in daily traffic

78

%
increase in daily traffic

78

%
increase in daily traffic

78

%
increase in daily traffic

The companion app turned Glüxkind’s robotics into reassurance. It defined a UX language that bridged autonomy and empathy, setting the benchmark for the company’s future connected products. Though it never launched, the design still shapes how Glüxkind tells its story today—proof that even unbuilt work can leave a legacy

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