Bianca Cooper

How would you feel about sharing a silent meal, one at which everyone is focused on their phone? Drawing on my Peruvian heritage, in which dining embodies family, tradition, and connection, I partnered with Peruvian artisans to create Kanu—device-free dinner baskets. These baskets are designed to revive genuine connections at the table and will be available exclusively in Lima, a city with more than 60,000 restaurants and one where 88.4 percent of households own smartphones. Kanu baskets seamlessly blend elegance with functionality, offering wireless charging capabilities to ensure that users' phones remain powered while they enjoy a meal.

During my exploration, I identified several stakeholder gaps and opportunities related to the effects of smartphones on social interactions during meals. Articles I read highlighted the negative impacts of excessive phone usage and addiction-like behaviors, raising concerns about future generations' ability to connect authentically. Interviews revealed the extent of cell phone addiction, particularly among younger people, and surveys provided fascinating insights into users' willingness to participate in device-free dinner experiences given the right incentive. The dining industry is witnessing a growing trend of customers disconnecting from their phones during meals.

Kanu baskets are designed to reflect and complement restaurants' ambiance and aesthetic and to provide compelling incentives to disengage from phone use while remaining practical for diners. As expert feedback emphasized convenience, I decided to integrate wireless chargers into the baskets. Prototyping underscored the necessity for clear instructions—hence the inclusion of a special note at the center that reads, “I invite you to leave your phones here.” Three models will be available for purchase online, catering to families looking to enhance their home dining experiences.

Together let's make every meal a moment to savor, detached from the distractions of the digital world. Unplug. Connect. Dine.