Progress
This week we finalized the initial hardware design. The device will be compact, designed to sit quietly on a desk or bedside table. We're prioritizing on-device processing to ensure privacy and offline capability.
The form factor is smaller than we initially planned, which actually works better for the "quiet presence" concept. Unlike Gatebox's holographic display approach, we're focusing on a more intimate, subtle form of visual presence.
Challenges
The main challenge is balancing visual presence with power consumption. We want the companion to feel alive without being a power drain or requiring constant internet connection. This means optimizing every component for efficiency while maintaining the emotional impact of presence.
Another challenge is creating a character that feels present without being distracting. The companion should be noticeable when you want to notice it, but fade into the background when you're focused on other things.
Our Approach
We're building with privacy-first principles. The companion works entirely offline, processes data locally, and gives users full control over their data and character customization. This is fundamentally different from cloud-based solutions like Gatebox.
Next Steps
We're moving into prototype assembly next week. The first physical prototype will help us test the form factor and user experience in real environments. We'll be sharing photos and updates as we progress.
If you're interested in following along, join our Discord or follow us on X for real-time updates.