Covid-19 has acted as a catalyst for many people wanting to continue or improve their mental and physical wellbeing by embracing nature. This has allowed many unexperienced people take up outdoor hobbies like hillwalking as a means of exercising. However, the feedback I have received regarding the social and self-induced pressures can often discourage amateurs, particularly during the map reading and navigation aspects when the others in the group are directly affected.
Compass Companion is a device that notifies hikers when they vary from their pre-planned route whilst encouraging people to engage in more outdoor activities and more confident in their own abilities whilst doing so. Compass Companion works as a safety device for those who would rather have confirmation before possibly deviating from the route and would function alongside traditional methods of location identification like maps, whilst incorporating modern technologies like GPS sensors and haptic motors for unique and intuitive feedback.
It is designed to provide reassurance to the hiker whilst maintaining a “low tech” approach, distancing it from the typical ping correlated with mobile devices. The use of a multifunction tool like a mobile device can often lead to distraction, which counteracts the positive disconnect of the outdoors.
This project has been really exiting and challenging. I really enjoyed doing this throughout COVID and introducing many more unforeseen challenges that would have been impossible to predict. The main piece of work is below in the form of a booklet which highlights the process, the decisions and documents the journey of Compass Companion. In addition to a download link, there will also be a link to the 2021 digital degree show which compass companion is featured on.
