Four Concepts For A New Sustainable Smart Speaker

Based in Amsterdam, Frolic is a sustainability-oriented innovation and design firm certified as a B Corp. “Sustainability is a driving factor in everything we do. From the projects we undertake to the way we run our business, we want to create a positive difference, one design at a time” – the studio says.

An example of this approach is One smart speaker, four circular tunes (2023), a project that explores four different smart speakers developed around the same goal: to show the potential of products that combine technology with more sustainable approaches to design.

Is It Possible to Create Sustainable Smart Speakers?

The question behind the project is: is it possible to create cutting-edge products that do not harm the planet? While innovation and technological development continue to shape the industry, the way electronic products are designed and produced – from the extraction of raw materials to disposal at the end of their life – offers significant opportunities for reconsideration.

Frolic Studio’s One smart speaker, four circular tunes envisions a world in which smart speakers are designed with a more responsible future in mind. The four concepts propose different ways of addressing the environmental impact of product design, exploring strategies that range from repair and maintenance to remanufacturing and longevity.

Four Circular Design Approaches for Smart Speakers

Two models were designed with the concept of repair and maintenance in mind. The first smart speaker is customizable, evolving and adapting to the needs of the listener. The modularity of its components and the possibility of DIY repairs are key elements of the concept, allowing the product to be maintained and modified over time.

The second can be summarized by the phrase: the most sustainable product is the one that is never created. This speaker is made primarily from compression-printed paper fibres, an abundant, inexpensive and recyclable material that requires little energy during production. At the end of its lifecycle, a red label on the back of the product reveals the internal electrical elements and provides instructions to guide the user through disassembly and disposal.

The third model is designed for remanufacturing: a speaker that can be returned to the manufacturer and easily remodelled. At the end of its lifecycle, its materials can be remanufactured into new products, helping to extend their use and reduce overall impact.

The fourth concept is designed for longevity, envisioned as an object to be handed down to the next generation. High-quality materials and hardware, combined with the Japanese art of Kintsugi, allow the speaker to be repaired over time and become an object to treasure.

One smart speaker, four circular tunes demonstrates how different sustainability strategies can lead to distinct aesthetic and functional outcomes. Rather than proposing a single solution, Frolic Studio uses four concepts to explore the possibilities of applying circular thinking to the design of everyday technology.

To learn more about the studio’s method and see other projects visit Frolic’s website and follow them on instagram!