Fizzees (Physical Electronic Energisers)
Wednesday, 8 August
9:30 - 10:15 am
A prototype project that enables young people (ages 10 and 11) to care for a digital pet through their own physical actions. In order to nurture their digital pet and keep it healthy and growing, children must themselves act in physically healthy ways.
Fizzees encourages them to undertake greater amounts of physical activity whilst developing a better understanding of the constituent parts of a healthy lifestyle. It uses a dual sensor device that measures heart rate and accelerometer data, and a scoring system that equates the maturation process of the digital pet with the recommended levels (and types) of physical activity for young people. In addition to the wearable technology, a web site gives children an opportunity to compare their Fizzee with others and explore other aspects of healthy lifestyles, such as healthy eating.
hans.daanen (at) futurelab.org.uk