DSDN 112- I-pod touch/I-phone navigation systems

I-pod touch/I-phone navigation systems- I have found a new i-pod navigation system known as "TomTom" that is much more simplified compared to the mobile phone applications.

This system has the basic and very general things to it that makes it more common than something special you would want to be pleased to have. Overall I feel that whilst the mobile phone research gave me better ideas to make my navigations system better and stand out, this research into an iPod and iPhone navigation system helped me see what I can utilize to make a better navigation system than a standard one.

Below are the research photos.

DSDN 112- Mobile Navigation system research continued

Mobile Navigation system research continued- I have found another great example of a mobile navigation system that has some really great features to think about for this project. This mobile navigation system is called "amAze". amAze is a navigation system that allows you to find your destination but has other little tricks and tips to it that helps you out very well.

One feature is the ability to connect with Facebook. amAze allows the user to search for their friends location through logging into Facebook and finding your friends location. I thought this is a really cool feature because of Facebook being one of the most time consumed online sights where people spend endless hours online talking to others or updating their page and amAze have utilized this powerful tool to their advantage, as a way of connecting people physically and virtually.

amAze has also added in a routing function that will give you the fastest and shortest route if your in a hurry. This is particularly great for this project because as university students, we are always looking for the fastest route possibly to ensure we make it on time to our class.

The use of having a red lights addition is another extra detailed piece I thought was good. This is because whilst walking to class we come in contact with so many lights when walking that its another piece to the puzzle that can direct you more accurately to the destination.

Below are some of the screenshots of the amAze system.

DSDN 12- Mobile Phone Navigation systems

Mobile Phone Navigation system 1- I have begun to research into the different navigation systems for project 2. The first navigation system I have started researching is a navigation system for a persons mobile phone.

One of the navigation systems I found that I thought was particularly good is the google maps navigation system also known as "Beta". Beta is a navigation system for the general Wellington person to use that has many useful features that help you find your destination. Some of the features include "search by voice" meaning you can simply say where your destination is and you will be given directions.

Another great feature is the "satellite" and "street" view. These two features basically give a real view of where you are and where you should be heading. These features have pictures of the street your on and what way is the right way to go with different colors representing different areas etc. I felt this feature was particularly important because it is much more easier to find your way if you can see what the place looks like rather than on a standard 2D map with lines telling you where you need to head etc.

I thought that the walking navigation section was another great feature in the Beta system. I feel this is a great feature because not everyone has the luxury of having a car in Wellington and walking defiantly takes a lot less time and even possibly a few more options compared to driving.

Below are some screenshots of the Beta system, a great first inspiration for this project.

DSDN 112- Looking at Project 2 brief

Looking at Project 2 brief- I have been reviewing the project 2 brief and am excited to do this project, particularly because it is going involve getting a good intro and use from Adobe Flash.

I have begun to look at the different navigation systems/interfaces in todays society. I have listed and brainstormed them in this post and am looking into more research to help me work more in depth to producing a suitable navigation system for this project.

At this point, it's still unclear which type I will pick to work with so I am going to research into some of the ones listed and see what information I can get.

Below is the brainstorm of the different navigation systems I have listed and am going to look into more depth.

DSDN 112- Final Photos and evaluation on Project 1-

Final Photos and evaluation on Project 1- I have finished my final interactive object known as "The fruit boards". The fruit boards are flat tiles that have two different smells indented inside it and the aim is for the user to use their sense of smell to navigate their way through the board to reach the end. However there will be one smell that will guide you to the right one, or there will be another path that is aiming to redirect you in the opposite direction.

Overall I learnt a lot on this project. There were a lot of prototypes made and each of them helped to narrow down my idea into what its current state is now. The first thing I learnt was the shape will effect your smell. The way it affects smell is if the smell is too close to another, then it will merge and not give a defined smell to guide you. Originally I was looking at working with the use of touch, smell and loss of sight, but was told it looked far too busy so I cut it down to just a bigger focus on smell.

The shape will enhance your experience because if the shape isn't easy to move and interact with, it makes your experience unpleasant. Originally I was looking at working with a sphere because it seemed a lot more interactive, but over time I saw that because of its shape it was messing the smells up and merging them together. This is not the idea I had in mind so I had decided to alter it to be flat and 2D to make it bigger and have the smells more defined, while keeping it looking presentable.

At first it started off as one object, but it wasn't really making it as interactive. I then decided after working closely with my tutor Zane that the idea of making it into a game was a good idea to work with. The aim is still the same- use your smell sense to find your way to the end, but to beat your opponent and not fall into the path that is the booby trap. The smells are really sweet, yet different smells that stand out well on the boards.

Overall it was a great project to work with and was extremely challenging as a first project.

DSDN 112- Making my final objects

Making my final objects- I have started making my final objects for Monday. I have decided my smells- Strawberry, Caramel, Banana and Orange. All these are fruit essences and are able to stand out rather well, despite being a bit too close together because of the wood size.

I will be covering them with layers of white sheet so that you can't see where to go and am adding more and more layers of the smell to make it stronger.

Below are the photos of the models at the moment.