Seminar 4 - Interactive Media in Sustainable Development

The seminar conducted this week was on online due to the COVID-19 lockdown. All of were introduced to a new method of interacting online and utilising the platforms available. The meetings and seminar were conducted through the online video conferencing application Zoom. The activity was performed in Mural which is a digital workspace for visual collaboration.

The seminar went through different segments f sustainable development. The first segment was about the impact of air quality and how it’s affecting our ecosystem and various IoT techniques and readers impact on our earth. Next was about the impact of agriculture on greenhouse gas effects in Ireland and how organic farming can be a better solution. The final segment was related to the oil and gas spill detection system using the internet of things.

Workshop

The whole activity was conducted based on the understanding of the design principles and strategies towards making the world sustainable for the future generation. We were advised to upgrade or redesign Tefal Master Seal To Go food storage 1.2-litre lunchbox as a part of the company's new vision in changing the image into more environmentally responsible with reflecting the creativity and functionality.

Design Brief for the redesign included

1. Have a positive impact on the environment

2. Use IoT technologies (connected to the internet)

3. Collected data available on a user-friendly Platform

4. Have potential for the technology to transfer to other similar products

The target audience we decided was particularly focused on the university students and youthful professionals in the working-class sector. The brainstorming session gave space for a wide range of ideas.

The lunchbox which is made from recycled plastics which hold an interactive capability by having a digital display. A certain application where data can be collected to an interface. Data like nutrients, calories of food. In building certain features which can calculate the quantity of food. Notification system which can alert the user when to have food. Collect the information regarding food the user prefers. Technology which maintains or controls food temperature. Implements functionality for trading and sharing food between inmates. The potential platforms where this technology can be transferred includes digital mediums like mobile phones, laptops, smartwatches and it can be linked with supermarkets, restaurants etc.

Design Brief

Finally, with utilizing the whole ideas, we came up with a proof of concept for a smart lunch box with functionalities which influences in reducing food wastage, Healthy diet, cultural exchanges.

Functionalities of the product could be like with improved technology the box could maintain the food temperature and calculate the number of calories needed for a healthy diet which leads to control in food quantity leading to healthy lifestyle along with reducing the food wastage. The main feature is the interactive interface which could connect with mobile phones and other stuff where the person can share and trade foods of their choices. It promotes a level of social interaction between people or in terms of cultural exchange by sharing food.

The activity was kind of fun, as well as informative each team, were involved in upgrading products which focus on a sustainable environment. Moreover, the activity was a great experience and also we faced quite challenges as this session was conducted digitally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.