How it Works
The SHIFT system includes three components that communicate via wifi signals to create a seamless user experience.
Voice commands are received through the Mobile App. The AI system translates that request into a two-dimensional arrangement of furniture within the room.
Next, the AI creates a motion plan for how all the furniture will simultaneously move from their original to desired positions.
The motion plan is split into step-by-step
instructions, which are sent to each Pod. While the Pods follow instructions, the server receives data about their updated locations. The AI adjusts the motion plan in real time based on this information and relays updated instructions to the Pods when necessary.
SHIFT
Pod
SHIFT Pods are the primary hardware component of the SHIFT system. These appliances are small robots that sit permanently beneath the legs of a piece of furniture, allowing it to move autonomously.
A piece of furniture is supported by both powered Pods, which have motors, and support Pods, which have only location and proximity sensors.
​
The Pods can be easily attached in seconds, simply by placing them beneath the legs of the piece of furniture, and are meant to stay in place indefinitely, so that they can be activated at any time.
Rubber Pads hold furniture in place
3D printed housing for electronics
Ball Casters help maintain balance
Sensors prevent collisions with obstacles
Motors held at diagonal to maintain small footprint
PETG is light, cheap, and can withstand great loads
Telescopic rods allow attachment to pieces of any size
Beacon
The Beacon is a crucial piece of infrastructure for the SHIFT system. Our AI is able to create and transition between furniture layouts by using precise information about each Pod's location.
The location of a pair of Pods is determined based on the distances between them and each Beacon in the room, which is found and communicated through Ultra-WideBand.
​
The Beacons have one button to activate and connect, and are set up through the Mobile App during the first use of SHIFT. In some of our designs for future versions, the Beacons can also replace the Mobile App as the decision-making engine to keep all data within the home and include speakers and microphones in case that route is pursued.
LED
indicator ring
Power/Connect
Button
Microphone
Speaker
Mobile
App
All you need to control your furniture movers is your mobile phone! The SHIFT Mobile App receives user commands either verbally or through our interface. The AI system translates common language into specific automated motions that move furniture to exactly the right place.
​
The Pods and Beacons connect to the App via Wifi. The interface walks the user through this setup process the first time they open the App. After that, the system is always ready to receive instructions.
​
In addition to furniture location, the App saves a map of the space so that you it can display hypothetical arrangements before making them a reality. Layouts are saved in the App so they can be reused later. The user can name these arrangements too, then ask for them by name.
Installation
Pod installation is just 4 easy steps:
.png)
Step 1: Activate
Press the Power button to turn on your SHIFT Pod
.png)
Step 2: Stretch
Pull the pods apart until they reach the correct width for your furniture
.png)
Step 3: Insert
Lift one end of the furniture and slide the pods under
.png)
Step 4: Connect
Follow the set up instructions in the mobile app to connect the pods to Wifi