Exploring the Emotional Future of Robotics Through Design and CMF

We’re excited to share a significant academic and design initiative involving our Founder and Design Director, Anton Ruckman, who is co-supervising a groundbreaking PhD research opportunity focused on the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of humanoid robots.

As robots increasingly enter everyday spaces—from homes and hospitals to retail and service industries—their success will hinge not only on their intelligence and technical performance but also on how they are perceived, felt, and embraced by humans. This research aims to investigate how CMF (Colour, Materials, Finish), wearable design, and fashion-forward thinking can shape more meaningful human-robot interactions.

Anton brings his deep expertise in industrial design, materials, and emotional user experiences to the supervisory team, joining a stellar group of academic leaders including Professor Rafael Gomez (QUT), Shayne Beaver (QUT), and Scott Mayson (RMIT). Together, they will guide a new generation of researchers exploring how design can become a bridge between technology and humanity.

The PhD project welcomes applicants with a background in industrial design or fashion, and a strong interest in prototyping, materiality, and the future of human-centred robotics.

Learn more about the project:👉 PhD Details

Explore scholarship and application information:👉 Scholarships and Applications

#PhDOpportunity #WOWME #QUT #RMIT #DesignResearch #CMF #HumanoidRobots #FutureDesign #IndustrialDesign #FashionAndTech