Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4.10
A child using
Smart Bins
4.5.1
Smart Bins
Smart Bins was designed as an educational game to encourage recycling activities
(Lobo et al.
2009a
). It comprises an augmented recycling bin, composed by three
containers (blue, yellow and green), able to detect if users place the objects to be
recycled in the correct container (Fig.
4.10
). Smart Bins is also able to communi-
cate simple messages right on the appropriate time according to the users' actions.
Mascots were created to guide the users throughout the entire game, providing them
with useful stimuli. The mascots, resembling humanized recycling containers, are
displayed on a screen above the recycling bin and convey persuasive messages to the
children, bringing “life” and “intelligence” to Smart Bins.
Smart Bins works as follows. When no one is close to the system, the display shows
a video about recycling. As soon as a child approaches the augmented recycling bin
(detected by an infrared sensors), the application reacts and one of the recycling bin
mascots tells the children how to play the game and start recycling.
To play Smart Bins, children have to identify themselves to the system showing
the camera a card with a Data Matrix code. This allows the system to provide them
with personalized messages. After that, they can start recycling and they have to place
a set of objects in the recycling containers, aiming at selecting the correct container
for each object. A Data Matrix image is attached to each object to identify the type
of container in which the object should be placed (green, yellow, or blue). Thus, to
identify an object the user has to pass the object in front of the camera and then place
it in the recycling container.
Each container has an infrared sensor, thus whenever an object is put inside a
container, the object is detected and stimuli are provided to the children telling
them whether the object was placed in the right container. The choice of the correct
recycling container triggers a congratulating message together with audio to reinforce
the success of the user's action. Otherwise, when children fail to place an object in
