Milano The School of Design

Presented during Milan Design Week 2026, Connexio is one of the “domestic oracles” developed for Alessi as part of a research project exploring new ways of interaction between humans and technology.

Conceived in collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and designed by Kothari Arihant, a student in the Master’s program in Product & Furniture Design at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, the project contributes to an increasingly relevant discussion: the role of artificial intelligence in our emotional and everyday lives.

In an era defined by constant yet often superficial digital connection, Connexio proposes a relational technology capable of making the invisible visible.

How Connexio works: AI interpreting human relationships

Connexio gives physical form to an artificial intelligence agent capable of interpreting the quality of human relationships. The system analyzes metadata from social interactions—such as frequency, intensity, and continuity—and translates them into slow, progressive visual transformations.

“The idea was to use AI in a different way,” Arihant explains. “Not as something that tells you what to do, but as a reflective source that adds meaning.”

These transformations are neither immediate nor invasive; they unfold over time, creating a silent language that reflects the state of the user’s emotional connections.

“I didn’t want it to be an object that interrupts or reminds you of something,” he adds. “It becomes more like a mirror, helping you understand your relationships day by day.”

The flower design: aesthetics, interaction, and Alessi inspiration

The project takes shape through a natural element: the flower. This choice stems from a reflection on interaction, strongly influenced by the design language of Alessi.

“Alessi objects have this quality—you want to touch them, interact with them,” he says. “That led me to create something that could also feel like a companion, not just an object.”

The choice of the Calla Lily, in particular, responds to both aesthetic and functional needs.

“While searching for a form that could move in a simple yet elegant way, I came across the Calla Lily. It has a very clean geometry, very ‘Alessi,’ and a natural movement that I could translate into the project.”

The result is a balance between symbolism and function, where the flower becomes an emotional interface rather than mere decoration.

The idea behind Connexio: between emotional distance and reflective technology

At the core of the project lies a personal experience: moving abroad and the resulting sense of distance from loved ones.

“It was the first time I had moved away from my country, and I really felt homesick,” Arihant recalls. “When we started working on the ‘oracles,’ I realized I wanted to create something related to human relationships.”

The brief thus intersected with a real-life experience, evolving into a broader design reflection.

“I’ve never really been a big fan of artificial intelligence,” he adds. “That’s why I wanted to use it in a way that could genuinely add emotional value.”

Design challenges: balancing technology and human experience

Designing Connexio meant tackling a complex challenge: integrating product design, technology, and emotional experience.

“The hardest part was keeping the human at the center,” he explains. “I wanted the object to remind you of the people you care about, but without forcing or disturbing you.”

For this reason, the technology was conceived as discreet and passive.

“It should never interfere,” he continues. “It’s something that accompanies you and helps you reflect on your relationships in a natural way.”

From development to Design Week: a complete learning experience

The project was developed at Istituto Marangoni Milano – The School of Design through a process of experimentation and continuous dialogue.

“It was a very dynamic journey,” Arihant says. “At the beginning, we misunderstood parts of the brief, but overcoming those obstacles and seeing the project take shape was really exciting.”

Constant exchange with professors and collaborators proved essential: “Discussing ideas and seeing different perspectives helped me a lot in developing the project.”

Presenting the project at the Milan Design Week 2026 marked the culmination of this journey.

“It was one of my biggest achievements,” he concludes. “I had always dreamed of attending as a visitor, so being there as a designer was truly overwhelming. Professionally, I learned the entire process—from prototyping to teamwork. It was a complete experience.”