Nest Pet Pod

Research

The research for this project was done in groups and focused on trend and market analysis to identify the best expansion market for Google Nest. Understanding Google Nest’s brand and consumer needs was crucial in guiding the design direction.

Brand essence

‍Google Nest revolves around continuity and the unification of the home through smart technology.

Brand personality

‍Google Nest aims to be innovative and reliable without being imposing. The goal of their products is to seamlessly blend into the average home while improving convenience.

Emotional benefits

Google Nest’s emotional benefits are rooted in providing peace of mind, security and convenience.

Rational benefits

Google Nest’s ecosystem is its main advantage over its competitors. Their machine learning abilities and heightened security backed by Google’s scale is another major selling point.

Core functionality

Google Nest offers a wide range of smart products including streaming solutions, speakers, WiFi and thermostat solutions, cameras and doorbells for security and smart displays meant to act as hubs to all these devices.

Competitive analysis

Brand analysis

Trend analysis

The most notable trends included:
Increase in health awareness (physical and mental)
Increase in travel
Increase in use of smart appliances
Increase in sustainability consciousness
Increase in pet adoption

Visual trends:
‍Boolean cylinders
“Soft looking”, friendly UIs
Bright accent colors
Sand
Blue

We decided that the best fit for Nest would be the smart pet product market. Research showed an increase in pets, travel, and smart appliances, tying into Nest’s existing product lines. Although there are many smart pet products, there aren’t many that function in an ecosystem as Nest products do.

Exploration

Initially, exploration focused on developing concepts that would keep a pet entertained or occupied when their owner was away. I also focused on activities that pet owners would normally do, and how to enable them to be done remotely.

After various development phases, I settled on the idea of a pet bed that would keep pets calm in their owner's absence.

Market analysis

I found that most destructive behavior showed by pets were symptoms of separation anxiety. As I don’t own a cat or dog, I researched further into this topic and found that it was a problem a large percentage of pet owners face. I thus decided to research into various ways of combating separation anxiety and stress.

Research into separation anxiety:

Feline facial pheromone F3 create a sense of familiarity, comfort and security.

Dog appeasing pheromones (DAPs) replicate pheromones released by mother dogs to calm and reassure their pups.

Heating pads provide warmth, mimicking natural cozy spots and can soothe and calm pets.

Reverse engineering

Electric current generates heat through resistance, which increases with temperature for self-regulation.

A ceramic heating core warms the wick to release pheromone vapor, common in traditional diffusers.

An aerosol can with a timed sprayer releases pheromones automatically when needed.

Ultrasonic vibrations create a fine mist by breaking up the solution into tiny particles for diffusion.

I chose the ceramic heating core and the heating pad for their compact design, reliability, and safe, quiet operation—ideal for maintaining a calm, pet-friendly environment. They can also be easily adjusted and required low maintenance.

Refinement

Design refinements focused on improving airflow, stability, and user interaction. Multiple form iterations helped balance aesthetics and functionality, creating a pet space that integrates seamlessly into modern homes.

1st iteration:

Removable top that allowed for a more open pet bed

Bottom housed a heated or cooled bed

Pheromone diffuser housed in the back that helps with soothing pet

I decided to go back and explore some new forms, this time sketching forms that lend to the states and functions I wanted (open/close, passive ventilation etc.)

2nd iteration:

Scale testing: 17” diameter was the ideal size for small dogs and cats

Doors that open and close manually

3rd iteration:

Softer, friendlier form to fit better in homes

Added vents for pheromones to pass through

Wasn't feasible manufacturing wise

4th iteration:

Made perforations on the outer wall to help with airflow

Perforations on the doors to act as handles and help with airflow

Made the mattress and vents circular to better fit my form

5th iteration:

Got rid of the perforations on the walls as they clashed with the rest of the design

Made the top shell a mesh to improve breathability

Added a display for easier interaction

Execution

Plastic parts for my product were designed in SolidWorks and 3D printed. They were glued, filled, sanded, and primed to ensure the best surface condition. Priming and sanding were repeated multiple times. The fabric parts for my product were also designed in SolidWorks and 3D printed. They were glued together with epoxy before spraying with adhesive and applying the fabric. I then trimmed off any excess fabric.