Launching the World's First Home AI Chess Robot
A very fast custom Shopify website that brings their AI chess robot to life
The Problem
SenseRobot is the world's first company to make AI chess robots for home use at scale. They mix chess with technology for everyday life.
They needed a website to launch their new product. The hard part: explain the AI tech in simple terms, show what the robot can do with lots of video, and keep the site very fast—all with a 100% custom build.
The challenge:
- No one had launched this type of product before - we had to define an entirely new category
- AI technology is notoriously abstract and technical - we needed to make it accessible to everyday users
- Video was essential to demonstrate the product, but heavy video content typically kills site performance
- We had to balance rich media storytelling with lightning-fast load times
What I Changed
1. Custom code from scratch
- Built the whole site from scratch with Shopify Liquid and TailwindCSS
- Every part of the site was custom-coded for speed
- No heavy third-party themes
Why this worked: We had full control. That let us keep desktop load times under 2 seconds.
2. Speed-first build
- Videos load only when needed so the site stays fast
- Desktop loads in under 2 seconds even with lots of video
- Mobile loads in 2.1 seconds
Why this worked: Visitors could watch videos and explore without waiting. Fast sites build trust and keep people on the page.
3. Easy-to-understand content
- Sections that explain the AI training and how the robot works
- Info on wins like the 2025 Panhellenic Student Chess Championship
- A clear path from "what is this?" to "I get it"
Why this worked: The tech became easy to understand. Every part built trust and excitement instead of confusion.
The Results
Under-2-second desktop speed
Even with lots of video and interactive parts across the site.
6-week launch timeline
From idea to live site—done on time with a 100% custom build.
100% custom code
No themes, no extra stuff. Every line written for SenseRobot's needs.
New product category launched
In 6 weeks we built a very fast custom Shopify store that explains the product, keeps people interested, and turns visitors into buyers—bringing the world's first home AI chess robot to market with a site that matches its innovation.
What I Learned
1. Speed and lots of video can work together
By loading videos only when needed, we kept desktop under 2 seconds while still showing multiple product videos and visuals.
2. Explaining things leads to sales
The job wasn't just building a store—it was explaining new technology to everyday people. We made a path that takes visitors from curious to confident.
3. Custom build beats heavy themes
Building from scratch gave us full control. No third-party theme meant no extra code, no slow scripts, and a site that feels built for one product.
Want to see what I'd change on your store? Book an audit or see more examples.
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