Futurewave's Furny robot communicates through movement at Milan Design Week 2026

During Milan Design Week 2026, a Brussels-based studio called Futurewave introduced Furny, a robot that looks like furniture. Instead of using screens or voice prompts, this robot communicates mainly through its movements, like how it stands or gestures. Its head adjusts based on what’s happening around it, using its posture to express what it’s about to do. The project combines industrial design with embedded electronics and movement systems to create a product that can actually be produced. Futurewave's research emphasizes the importance of expressive movement in robots that don't resemble humans, focusing on nonverbal cues and offering a fresh take on home robotics through subtle motions and spatial interactions.