Ruixin Xue
Tomo
Capstone project
Guided by: Jeffery Jones and Chris Wu
2024
A home companion projector that adapts to routines, reducing device clutter while supporting sustainable living.
Tomo reimagines the home device as a single adaptive system that replaces multiple screens. By combining projection technology with intelligent scheduling, it seamlessly shifts between entertainment, daily reminders, and wellness support—learning user habits to provide contextual, meaningful interactions.
I contributed across ideation, mockups, CAD modeling, and brand extension, designing both the hardware form and digital interfaces to explore Tomo’s potential as a friendly, adaptable companion.
Do you know how many screens the average household owns?
With an average of 7.2 screens per home, people rely on them for work and connection, but every new device adds CO₂ emissions and e-waste while also fragmenting attention—harming both the planet and our wellbeing.
Why do we live with so many screens?
Screens multiply in our homes not only for work and entertainment, but also to fill emotional voids — the quiet moments when people crave presence or comfort. Nearly half of U.S. adults report frequent loneliness, and 1 in 5 feel it every day, often turning to background voices or glowing screens for relief. Yet these “social surrogates” provide only passive comfort, leaving people with both more devices and deeper isolation.
What if one adaptive system could satisfy these needs for presence and connection without adding more screens?
By creating genuine companionship rather than passive distraction, such a system could enhance wellbeing, restore focus, and ease the environmental burden of our screen-saturated lives.
🌅 Customized Wake-Up
Start the day with Tomo’s gentle music and a clear plan. It projects time, weather, and today’s schedule to help you wake with focus and intention.
7:00 AM. Bedroom
🍳 Cooking Assistance
Choose what you want to make and let Tomo guide you. Step-by-step recipe projection with timers, voice, and gesture control keeps cooking fun to explore.
12:30 PM. Kitchen
🎬 Family Entertainment
Share movies, music, or games with the whole family. While watching, you can even chat with Tomo, creating memories together through interactive companionship.
7:00 PM · Living Room
