this page is still in the works
Please check back again in a week.
Thank you :)
Thank you :)
Animation by Artemiy on LottieFiles
cyber squat
Experience Design
VR app that encourages active and mindful engagement with online content
Project Overview
Cyber Squat is an innovative virtual reality (VR) fitness game designed to transform passive screen time into an active, engaging, and enjoyable experience. By integrating exercise seamlessly with entertainment, Cyber Squat encourages users to stay physically active while watching their favorite videos or streaming content. The game features a charming AI kitty coach who reacts dynamically to the user's performance, providing motivation and a touch of humor. Designed with inclusivity and social good in mind, Cyber Squat offers accessible exercises suitable for users of all mobility levels.
01
Inspiration
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, sedentary lifestyles have become a significant health concern. Our team was inspired to address this challenge by creating a solution that not only promotes physical activity but also integrates seamlessly into people's daily routines. We recognized the potential of VR to provide immersive experiences and saw an opportunity to leverage AI and mixed reality to make fitness engaging, fun, and accessible to everyone. Our goal was to transform the way people perceive exercise—turning it from a chore into an enjoyable part of their entertainment time.
02
Problem Statement
As part of a multidisciplinary team at the Immerse the Bay 2024 hackathon, my roles included:
- Concept Development: Collaborated on a 6-hour long team brainstorming session to define the game's core mechanics and features.
- UX/UI Design: Designed intuitive interfaces and visual elements to enhance user experience.
- Accessibility Features: Developed alternative exercise options and ensured the game was inclusive for users with mobility issues.
- Presentation Preparation: Assisted in preparing the demo and presentation that contributed to winning 2nd place in the Meta for Developers primary track.
Real-Time Exercise Detection
- Challenge: Implementing accurate squat detection that responds instantly to user movements.
- Solution: Utilized AI algorithms and pose estimation models to achieve reliable real-time tracking.
Keeping Users Engaged
- Challenge: Ensuring the game remains fun and motivating over time.
- Solution: Developed a compelling rewards system with points, achievements, and unlockable content to encourage continued play.
Accessibility for Users with Mobility Issues
- Challenge: Designing exercises and interactions suitable for users with varying physical abilities.
- Solution: Included alternative exercises and adjustable difficulty levels, ensuring inclusivity without compromising the game's core mechanics.
Seamless Integration of AI Coach
- Challenge: Making the AI coach's interactions feel natural and engaging.
- Solution: Wrote diverse and personality-rich dialogues for the kitty, incorporating humor and emotional depth to enhance user connection.
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript
03
Goals and Objectives
04
Roles and Responsibilities
As part of a multidisciplinary team at the Immerse the Bay 2024 hackathon, my roles included:
- Concept Development: Collaborated on a 6-hour long team brainstorming session to define the game's core mechanics and features.
- UX/UI Design: Designed intuitive interfaces and visual elements to enhance user experience.
- Accessibility Features: Developed alternative exercise options and ensured the game was inclusive for users with mobility issues.
- Presentation Preparation: Assisted in preparing the demo and presentation that contributed to winning 2nd place in the Meta for Developers primary track.
05
Research and Insights
06
Design Process
1. Conceptualization
- Idea Refinement: Decided on the core mechanic of using squats to keep videos playing, blending exercise with entertainment.
- Character Selection: Chose the AI kitty coach with distinct emotional modes (idle, happy, angry, crying) to interact with the user dynamically.
2. Prototyping
- User Interface Design: Developed UI elements that display squat scores, streaks, workout time, and calories burned in intuitive ways.
- Visual Elements: Designed engaging graphics to enhance the visual appeal of the game.
3. Development
- Emotional Responses: Scripted a variety of comments and reactions for the AI coach to provide motivation and humor.
- Accessibility Features: Included alternative exercises like seated leg raises and arm movements for users with mobility issues.
4. Testing and Iteration
- User Testing: Conducted tests to gather feedback on gameplay mechanics, UI clarity, and overall user experience.
- Refinement: Made iterative improvements based on feedback, focusing on enhancing engagement and accessibility.
07
Challenges and Solutions
Real-Time Exercise Detection
- Challenge: Implementing accurate squat detection that responds instantly to user movements.
- Solution: Utilized AI algorithms and pose estimation models to achieve reliable real-time tracking.
Keeping Users Engaged
- Challenge: Ensuring the game remains fun and motivating over time.
- Solution: Developed a compelling rewards system with points, achievements, and unlockable content to encourage continued play.
Accessibility for Users with Mobility Issues
- Challenge: Designing exercises and interactions suitable for users with varying physical abilities.
- Solution: Included alternative exercises and adjustable difficulty levels, ensuring inclusivity without compromising the game's core mechanics.
Seamless Integration of AI Coach
- Challenge: Making the AI coach's interactions feel natural and engaging.
- Solution: Wrote diverse and personality-rich dialogues for the kitty, incorporating humor and emotional depth to enhance user connection.
08
Final Product
Cyber Squat offers a unique and engaging fitness experience that:
- Transforms Screen Time: Users perform squats and other exercises to keep their videos playing, turning passive entertainment into active engagement.
- Features a Dynamic AI Coach: The adorable kitty provides real-time feedback, motivation, and humor, reacting to the user's performance.
- Promotes Accessibility: Alternative exercises and adjustable settings make the game inclusive for users of all mobility levels.
- Enhances User Engagement: Intuitive UI displays key metrics like squat scores, streaks, workout time, and calories burned, motivating users through visual progress.
- Works in Mixed Reality: Creates an immersive environment that combines the physical and digital worlds in ways not possible with other mediums.
09
Results and Impact
10
Guiding Principle
"The purpose of technology is not to make us passive consumers but active participants in our own lives."
— Tim Berners-Lee