On Dec 6th, a higher fidelity prototype was tested again on D12, along with students from another Major Studio class section. This time, I was testing not only speech input, but also human proximity and touch. I also had an prototype for the app heyPlant, to be used when away from the plant.
I had the following content next my prototype:
Research Inquiry – humans & plants
I am studying how people interact with, and are influenced by, plants and foliage in their everyday lives in New York City, so that I can highlight the indispensable, dynamic relationship between the two.
Concept
To use human interaction such as voice and touch to manipulate and control the ‘grow’ light of a plant.
Goal
To illustrate the direct, one-on-one relationship people can have with their plants by talking to it. You can talk out loud, about anything. Your plants will listen to you. Your plants are your friends, a tool or medium for self reflection. What you say will be recorded in the app, heyPlant, as journal entries. You can always check out these entries to reflect on what you’ve said. Things always look clearer in retrospect.
Scenario 1: When you are with your plant:
When you speak to the plant directly, the LEDs in the grow light turns on. If you touch the planter or hold it, this is an added level of interaction – the light changes.
Scenario 2: When you are away from your plant
When you are not physically present with your plant and it really needs light, you can via the app:
- send a voice note (or)
- shuffle your previous journal entries and play it for your plant remotely
Reactions and Feedback:
Feedback was collected on index cards
User 1
“I absolutely love your concept! Plan Its need light too and it can get hard when you are away. You have multiple components in your project and I understand that it can be hard to get everything working at such short notice. I would advise you to focus on just one at a time. I was also curious about the type of light and plant that you are using. Since different plants need different amounts of light, it might be helpful to have this information somewhere. Again, love the concept, good luck!”
User 2
“I love the sentimental elements in your project. I fe fel like the set up for the planters is really intimate and cozy and gives me a sense of connection with my plants even though I’m at D12. Good job! The app is really comprehensive. I especially love the journal section and friends chatting section. I bel believe it really provides a bonding opportunity for an introvert person.”
User 3
“I love the multiple interactions with plants. Your work is not only mechanically/technically well set up but also brings nice emotional experience! I wish I had one in my room! Then relationship between human and plants can be built up using technology, which I found is the most interesting part!”
User 4
“Love, love, love this project! One suggestion – If you could simulate a conversation with lights, eg- one lighting up when a person speaks, one responding during a pause to make it seem like the pant is responding”
User 5
“I like the concept a lot, As someone who doesn’t talk to myself so much, I like that this helps to get my thoughts out. Then app is good for tracking activities, but maybe also show hoe the plant changes across time?”
User 6
“I really feel the past iterations of your research coming together into a REALLY cool idea. I love the idea of the app logging your journal entries into a database to relay back to your plants when they are in need. i would suggest to just stick to any one of the light set ups and I think you will have a solid presentation for next week.”
User 7
“This is great! I loved interaction with the plant and getting reactions from the lights. I think my only confusion was with the sound sensor. I was not sure if it was working because of voice or proximity but other than that it was super clear and wholesome what you wanted to represent. Amazing work”
User 8
“This is a really cute idea. As someone who is struggling to keep my plant alive, this will certainly be helpful. At first glance, its not super clear what will happen to the plant when you talk to it. What does the lighting up signify?”
User 9
“This is a massive amount of work and the interface, overall, feels clear me, Maybe the QR codes is one thing too many, but it shows how much thought you’ve put into the proof of concept as a set of prototypes that work together. I’d still consider a little classical music that an be triggered s a surprise in the app/interaction as a plant’s ‘preferred growing music’ to show the playfulness.”
User 10
“I love the combination with the app, like I re really got a friend, who is my plant. Since I don’t know that blue and red light are good for plants, I a assumed that there would be more light color changing through the process, which makes the conversation more realistic. Love the hugging function, great job!”
User 11
“Maybe make it so both human and plant eta dose of light while the person talks, make it seem like they are hanging out”
User 12
“Your prototype is very extensive and thoughtful. I especially like the part where my voice gets translated into a written diary. I think that is so cute. I can can imagine soon who has had a plant for many years, and they can go back in their archive ato read what they said to the plant years ago. Great job!”