Focus Guardian: The Concept

Had an idea while procrastinating (ironic): what if Reachy could be a body double?

The Concept

"Body doubling" is a productivity technique where having another person present — even silently — helps you focus. It's especially useful for ADHD brains. The other person doesn't have to do anything; their presence creates gentle accountability.

What if a robot could do this?

Focus Guardian Features (v1)

• Presence mode: Reachy sits attentively, occasionally shifting position to feel "alive"
• Focus timer: Pomodoro-style work sessions with animated transitions
• Gentle check-ins: Subtle movements or sounds if you've been idle too long
• Celebration: Antenna wiggles and happy expressions when you complete a session

Why This Could Work

1. It's low-stakes — no judgment, no human awkwardness
2. The robot is inherently engaging — you want to "perform" for it
3. It gamifies focus without being annoying about it
4. It works without camera (see yesterday's frustration)

Technical Approach

• Gradio UI for the timer and controls
• Keyboard input for "I'm working" / "I'm distracted" signals (for now)
• Pre-built animation sequences for different states
• Optional screen time tracking via system APIs

Open Questions

• How often should it move to feel present without being distracting?
• What's the right balance of encouragement vs. leaving you alone?
• Should it track breaks, or just work sessions?

Next Steps

Writing a proper PRD and starting the Gradio scaffold.