Pengu Buddy 동물 건강 추적 시스템 by Here Design Studio is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 철상 in 소셜 디자인 Competition Category.
철소셜· 2025
Pengu Buddy 동물 건강 추적 시스템
Client: Georgia Aquarium
A' Design Award 철상 Winner in 소셜 Category
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The Design
About Pengu Buddy 동물 건강 추적 시스템
펭구 버디(Pengu Buddy)는 펭귄 서식지를 위해 설계된 동물 건강 추적 시스템입니다. 이 시스템은 수중 로봇과 모바일 애플리케이션을 결합한 형태입니다. 로봇은 펭귄을 위한 장난감 역할을 하며, 방문객이 애플리케이션으로 조작하는 게임을 통해 펭귄의 활동을 유도합니다. 놀이가 진행되는 동안 로봇은 영상 및 음향 데이터를 수집하여, 사육사가 건강 상태를 모니터링하는 데 사용하는 대시보드로 전송합니다. 또한 애플리케이션은 펭귄에 관한 교육 콘텐츠와 함께 기부 및 선물을 통해 보전 활동을 후원할 수 있는 기능을 제공합니다.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 철상
Pengu Buddy 동물 건강 추적 시스템, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 철상 수상작으로, 잘 디자인된 창작물에 기대되는 전문적·산업적 요건을 충족하는 좋은 디자인에 수여되는 권위 있는 인정입니다. 철상 수상작은 창작자의 뛰어난 기술, 높은 전문성, 전문가다운 이해, 창의적 역량을 보여 줍니다. Pengu Buddy 동물 건강 추적 시스템, 이 작품은 높이 평가받고 감탄과 사랑을 받는 창작물로서 실용적이고 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 철상 수상 디자인은 업계 모범 사례를 통합하며 노하우와 재능으로 연결된 유능한 기술적 특성을 갖추고 있습니다. Pengu Buddy 동물 건강 추적 시스템, 이 작품은 철저함으로 존중받으며 삶의 질을 개선하여 세상을 더 나은 곳으로 만들도록 디자인되었습니다.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- PenguBuddy is an interactive health data tracking system combining technology and wildlife care. It features an underwater robot that acts as both a playful toy for penguins and a data collection tool for keepers. The companion mobile app lets visitors control the robot, enjoy immersive interactions, access educational content, and support conservation through donations and gifts. This innovative solution drives positive social impact in wildlife conservation and public engagement.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The mobile app interface was designed with iOS guidelines. The underwater robot dimensions: Width 640 mm x Depth 120 mm x Height 500 mm
- Tags
- Animal Computer Interaction, Health Monitoring, Interactive Robot, Penguin Conservation, Education, Visitor Engagement, Mobile App
- Production Technology
- We used Figma and Adobe After Effects to design UI interfaces and also leveraged Rhino to create and render the underwater robot 3D model. Beyond that, we also tested some sensor hardware in the Georgia Institute of Technology ACI Lab.
- Design Challenge
- The central design challenge involved harmonizing penguin welfare with captivating visitor interaction, navigating obstacles such as robot durability, online data processing, and ethical animal engagement. Solutions prioritized two key areas: meticulous material testing and ethical design, ensuring robot safety and scientifically informed movement patterns for responsible monitoring. And user-centric interaction design, featuring an intuitive mobile application with gamification and educational content to transform visitors from passive observers to active participants in penguin welfare.
The first is the rigorous material testing and ethical design. The underwater robot materials were extensively tested for safety and durability. The movement patterns were carefully designed to mimic animals in the African penguin colony and were informed by research scientists to guarantee ethical monitoring practices.
On the other hand, we conducted user-centric interaction design. The mobile application prioritized intuitive controls, catering to a diverse user base. Gamification and educational content were integrated to foster active, empathetic engagement, transitioning visitors from passive observers to active participants in penguin welfare. - Research
- This research involved multiple research approaches, including field study, 30 hours of observation, 8 interviews with keepers and visitors, and prototype testing with 12 participants. Observation helped us understand interactions between visitors, keepers, and penguins. Interviews revealed pain points and expectations. We explored existing health tracking technologies and developed core design concepts using environment enrichment, robot interaction, and AI data insights. User feedback from prototype testing guided our design improvements.
- Inspiration
- Zoo animals, including penguins, often experience mood and behavior changes due to environmental and habitual shifts, leading to depression, reduced appetite, and decreased activity. However, the existing technology lacks effective data tracking for individual penguins.
The design solution draws inspiration from penguins' natural play behaviors and environmental enrichment strategies. By leveraging interactive robotic technology, we created a system that tracks penguin activity data and fosters engaging interactions between penguins and humans. - Project Duration
- The project started in January 2023 and completed concept phase on February 2024 in Atlanta.
- Operation Flow
- This project connects penguins, visitors, and keepers through an interactive system. Visitors control the robot via the app, creating playful interactions with penguins. The robot collects visual and acoustic data about penguins' activity and sends it to the keeper's dashboard for health monitoring. The app further enriches the visitor experience through educational content and conservation content, facilitating a meaningful connection between human interaction and scientific observation.
- Patents
- N/A
- Team Members
- UX Designer: Yuwei Li
UI Designer: Xinyue Ren, Yuchuan Yu
Industrial Designer: Han Huang, Youyang Hao - Image Credits
- Melody Moore Jackson, Georgia Tech ACI Lab
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