Catsby
CATSBY is a sustainable emotional support companion cat. The aim for this project is to explore the capability of technology and Arduino together with up-cycled materials to mimic the human-cat interaction, aiding loneliness and anxiety commonly found among the elderly population.
6 weeks - Solo
2024
Product/Tangible Interaction Design
Catsby
CATSBY is a sustainable emotional support companion cat. The aim for this project is to explore the capability of technology and Arduino together with up-cycled materials to mimic the human-cat interaction, aiding loneliness and anxiety commonly found among the elderly population.
6 weeks - Solo
2024
Product/Tangible Interaction Design
Catsby
CATSBY is a sustainable emotional support companion cat. The aim for this project is to explore the capability of technology and Arduino together with up-cycled materials to mimic the human-cat interaction, aiding loneliness and anxiety commonly found among the elderly population.
6 weeks - Solo
2024
Product/Tangible Interaction Design
Project Overview
Project Overview
Project Overview
Discover
Identify the problem & target audience
Secondary research
Define
Unpack assumptions
Validate hand gestures
Design
Plan prototype design
Crochet using t-shirt yarn
Assemble Arduino components
Deliver
User testing
Microsoft reaction cards
Discover
Identify the problem & target audience
Secondary research
Define
Unpack assumptions
Validate hand gestures
Design
Plan prototype design
Crochet using t-shirt yarn
Assemble Arduino components
Deliver
User testing
Microsoft reaction cards
Discover
Identify the problem & target audience
Secondary research
Define
Unpack assumptions
Validate hand gestures
Design
Plan prototype design
Crochet using t-shirt yarn
Assemble Arduino components
Deliver
User testing
Microsoft reaction cards
My Role:
Researcher and designer (solo project)
Researcher and designer (solo project)
Researcher and designer (solo project)
My Deliverables:
Desk research, Semi-structures interviews, Ethnography, Observations, HMWs, Evaluation Matrix
Desk research, Semi-structures interviews, Ethnography, Observations, HMWs, Evaluation Matrix
Desk research, Semi-structures interviews, Ethnography, Observations, HMWs, Evaluation Matrix
Challenges
Before taking this module, I had minimal coding experience and exposure to electronics. I would lie if I said that the learning curve was not steep. However, at the same time, it felt enriching once I wrapped my head around how to use and code instructions for the various components. okee
Before taking this module, I had minimal coding experience and exposure to electronics. I would lie if I said that the learning curve was not steep. However, at the same time, it felt enriching once I wrapped my head around how to use and code instructions for the various components. okee
Before taking this module, I had minimal coding experience and exposure to electronics. I would lie if I said that the learning curve was not steep. However, at the same time, it felt enriching once I wrapped my head around how to use and code instructions for the various components. okee
Problem
Problem
Problem
The global ageing population presents a challenge with the increasing prevalence of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
The global ageing population presents a challenge with the increasing prevalence of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
The global ageing population presents a challenge with the increasing prevalence of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
982,000
982,000
982,000
People diagnosed in the UK today
People diagnosed in the UK today
People diagnosed in the UK today
1.4 million
1.4 million
1.4 million
People will be diagnosed n the UK by 2040
People will be diagnosed n the UK by 2040
People will be diagnosed n the UK by 2040
Existing solutions
Existing solutions
Existing solutions
PARO - The Robotic Baby Seal is one of the most well-known interactive robots developed for the elderly.
It is proven to increase motivation, relieve depression, and reduce stress levels among users. Although very intuitive and user-friendly, PARO comes with a high price tag of £6,000 per seal.
PARO - The Robotic Baby Seal is one of the most well-known interactive robots developed for the elderly.
It is proven to increase motivation, relieve depression, and reduce stress levels among users. Although very intuitive and user-friendly, PARO comes with a high price tag of £6,000 per seal.
PARO - The Robotic Baby Seal is one of the most well-known interactive robots developed for the elderly.
It is proven to increase motivation, relieve depression, and reduce stress levels among users. Although very intuitive and user-friendly, PARO comes with a high price tag of £6,000 per seal.
The Human-cat relationship
The Human-cat relationship
The Human-cat relationship
The Cat-map
The Cat-map
The Cat-map
It displays typical hand movements and ways a cat likes to be stroked.
These assumptions (in pink) are made based on videos posted on various social media
The back stroking motion (2) was chosen as it is easy to facilitate with the technology available for this project.
It displays typical hand movements and ways a cat likes to be stroked.
These assumptions (in pink) are made based on videos posted on various social media
The back stroking motion (2) was chosen as it is easy to facilitate with the technology available for this project.
It displays typical hand movements and ways a cat likes to be stroked.
These assumptions (in pink) are made based on videos posted on various social media
The back stroking motion (2) was chosen as it is easy to facilitate with the technology available for this project.
Initial Sketches
Initial Sketches
Initial Sketches
Design and Fabrication
Design and Fabrication
Design and Fabrication
Input/ Output Capabilities
Input/ Output Capabilities
Hover to expand
Modules
Input/ output
Sensory Modality
Cat attribute
I/O measurements
Priority
Modules
Input/ output
Sensory Modality
Cat attribute
I/O measurements
Priority
Fritzing Diagram
Fritzing Diagram
Fritzing Diagram
Arduino Components
Arduino Components
Arduino Components
Click to expand
Capacitive Touch Sensor
Capacitive Touch Sensor
Capacitive Touch Sensor
Microphone Sensor
Microphone Sensor
Microphone Sensor
Servo Motor 360
Servo Motor 360
Servo Motor 360
Serial MP3 player
Serial MP3 player
Serial MP3 player
Vibration Motor
Vibration Motor
Vibration Motor
Adressable LED
Adressable LED
Adressable LED
Hover to expand
Hover to expand
Case
Action
MP3 Output
Additional output
LED Lights
Case
Action
MP3 Output
Additional output
LED Lights
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Participants
Participants
Participants
P1
P1
FEMALE /25
FEMALE /25
🇹🇼
🇹🇼
P1 has two cats at home in Taiwan
P1 has two cats at home in Taiwan
P1
FEMALE /25
🇹🇼
P1 has two cats at home in Taiwan
P2
P2
MALE/25
MALE/25
🇿🇦
🇿🇦
P2 has 1 cat at home in the UK
P2 has 1 cat at home in the UK
P2
MALE/25
🇿🇦
P2 has 1 cat at home in the UK
Evaluation Layers & Findings
Evaluation Layers & Findings
Evaluation Layers & Findings
Physical Layer:
Physical Layer:
Physical Layer:
Form and function of the interfaces
Form and function of the interfaces
Form and function of the interfaces
Finding:
Finding:
Both participants chose the card creative and friendly to describe their impression of CATSBY’s form and function. P1 also chose poor quality and helpful while P2 chose fragile.
Both participants chose the card creative and friendly to describe their impression of CATSBY’s form and function. P1 also chose poor quality and helpful while P2 chose fragile.
Both participants chose the card creative and friendly to describe their impression of CATSBY’s form and function. P1 also chose poor quality and helpful while P2 chose fragile.
Cultural Layer:
Cultural Layer:
Cultural Layer:
Narrative and context of the interaction, social signifier
Narrative and context of the interaction, social signifier
Narrative and context of the interaction, social signifier
Finding:
Finding:
The participants were asked: “ What role do cats have in your culture, how are they portrayed in society?”
The participants were asked: “ What role do cats have in your culture, how are they portrayed in society?”
The participants were asked: “ What role do cats have in your culture, how are they portrayed in society?”
Interaction Layer:
Interaction Layer:
Interaction Layer:
Design of situation, usability aspects
Design of situation, usability aspects
Design of situation, usability aspects
Finding:
Finding:
The participants were asked: “What kind of setting/environment would you imagine CATSBY being of great use to someone?” Both agreed that CASTBY can benefit users who suffer from loneliness as CATSBY can function as a temporary means of distraction from that negative feeling.
The participants were asked: “What kind of setting/environment would you imagine CATSBY being of great use to someone?” Both agreed that CASTBY can benefit users who suffer from loneliness as CATSBY can function as a temporary means of distraction from that negative feeling.
The participants were asked: “What kind of setting/environment would you imagine CATSBY being of great use to someone?” Both agreed that CASTBY can benefit users who suffer from loneliness as CATSBY can function as a temporary means of distraction from that negative feeling.
Technical layer
Technical layer
Technical layer
Intermediating between the interaction and the physical layer.
Intermediating between the interaction and the physical layer.
Intermediating between the interaction and the physical layer.
Finding:
Finding:
P1 and P2 chose the adjective advanced in the desirability exercise.
P1 and P2 chose the adjective advanced in the desirability exercise.
P1 and P2 chose the adjective advanced in the desirability exercise.
Affordance
Affordance
Affordance
Leverages users’ prior knowledge from the real world
Leverages users’ prior knowledge from the real world
Leverages users’ prior knowledge from the real world
Finding:
Finding:
Both participants chose easy-to-use as they knew exactly how to interact with CATSBY based on their experience with cats. It was observed that both participants picked up CATSBY and instinctively scratched her head and stroked her back.
Both participants chose easy-to-use as they knew exactly how to interact with CATSBY based on their experience with cats. It was observed that both participants picked up CATSBY and instinctively scratched her head and stroked her back.
Both participants chose easy-to-use as they knew exactly how to interact with CATSBY based on their experience with cats. It was observed that both participants picked up CATSBY and instinctively scratched her head and stroked her back.
Cat Map
Cat Map
Cat Map
P1
P1
FEMALE /25
FEMALE /25
🇹🇼
🇹🇼
P1
FEMALE /25
🇹🇼
P2
P2
MALE/25
MALE/25
🇿🇦
🇿🇦
P2
MALE/25
🇿🇦
💭 Reflections
💭 Reflections
💭 Reflections
The project was overall successful in facilitating a basic but beneficial human-cat (robotics) companion experience for the user. On reflection, more planning and testing in the design process would have contributed to a better prototype.
The project was overall successful in facilitating a basic but beneficial human-cat (robotics) companion experience for the user. On reflection, more planning and testing in the design process would have contributed to a better prototype.