Scan Plants is a mobile app for understanding plants. This application software provides camera scanning functionality and finds plant information and cultural background. You can also add or find the plants you want to see through location services and become part of a plant community. This design is researched by using the design thinking learning model. I created a persona that mirrored my own interests in nature and wanted to understand Rongoa, and then I learned about Rongoa and found design ideas through research, made a prototype, and tested it.
Traditional Maori Worldview of Rongoa
In Maori tradition, a person's health is closely related to their environment. A good natural environment brings health and ecological balance to human beings. Maori culture believes that taking good care of yourself is taking good care of yourself and your community. A good natural environment brings health and ecological balance to human beings.
In Maori tradition, plants are very important as some plants were used as medicine. Maori believe that both plants and humans are descendants of the forest god, Tānē Mahuta. Plants were created before humans, so plants are higher in the hierarchy of importance in Maori tradition. People are given the role of taking care of their environment. Nature is considered to be the connecting line between Mother Earth Papatūānuku and Father Sky Ranginui, and the relationship between human beings and nature is to look after each other and live together peacefully.
Rongoā is a diverse healing system that includes massage, chants, water, rituals, and herbs. Rongoa as a healing method will look at the patient’s environment to determine their condition. As part of the healing process, Rongoā practitioners will place equal focus on mental, psychological and physical health.
In the past, Maori people would go to different villages to sell Rongoā medicines. Many people were deceived or bought invalid treatments. In the 20th century, Rongoa treatments and traditional medicine had a second wave and Maori people began to embrace it into modern culture. A lot of treatments would have been modernised. I think it is important to know how Rongoā has changed since its traditional beginning.
In the past, Maori people would go to different villages to sell Rongoā medicines. Many people were deceived or bought invalid treatments. In the 20th century, Rongoa treatments and traditional medicine had a second wave and Maori people began to embrace it into modern culture. A lot of treatments would have been modernised. I think it is important to know how Rongoā has changed since its traditional beginning.
Current Solutions - Pl@ntNet
Pl@ntNet is a free mobile tool which helps users identify plants they see. It does this by analyzing photos submitted to the app and running it through its online database of plants. (Joly et al., 2015). Pl@ntNet uses the cameras in users’ phones to capture images of plants. Because the purpose of the app itself is very narrow, it does not need to use many sensors.
I like how Pl@ntNet has lots of different examples of plants to show how they might vary within their plant family. Pl@ntNet also organises plants into their Species, their Genus and their Family. I would like to use something similar to this system to separate different plants that can be used in Rongoa.
Pl@ntNet also has groups that users can create to only talk about specific types of plants, which I think is good. Users can also talk about plants they do not know the exact species of, and other users can try to validate them. Something to note in Pl@ntNet is that there is no way to tell if a user is trustworthy or correct. Anyone can pretend to be an expert and give misleading advice.
Technologies, Materials and Production methods - Pokemon GO
I looked at the design of Pokemon GO as part of my research for my solution. Pokemon GO is a game developed by Niantic that allows users to look for and catch virtual Pokemon in their real-life locations. You can catch different Pokemon and the game will show you their details and information about what you can do with your Pokemon. Important places in Pokemon GO are also marked on your map. If enough people mark down the same location, it can be added to the game as someplace that may be significant. For example, around crossroads and busy areas. These locations also allow for interaction in Pokemon GO. Users can battle each other’s Pokemon, or collect items from these locations.
I like that you can merge VR with real life, and users can put themselves into the game more easily. I can use the GPS sensors in my solution for users to look for plants which can be used in Rongoa Maori, and mark down their locations online with their phone, so other people can also find these resources. Users can also use their cameras to “catch” different plants. I can also have different details such as names, and uses, for each Rongoa plant that people can find outside. People might also be able to share their experiences and form communities based on using this medicine.
Technologies, Materials and Production methods
Google isn’t only a search engine; it’s a multi-national technology company known for its software, hardware, and cloud computing. So, it was probably only a matter of time before it made its way into the plant identification world. Google Lens isn’t specifically for plant identification, but it has certainly proved itself helpful for it. You can download it from the Google Play Store, take a photo of a plant, and bring up related results in Google. It’s a helpful tool for plants, animals, and much more.
With the development of technology, more and more mobile phones are equipped with many sensors, and sensors are used to connect people and the environment. Most cell phones are loaded with camera sensors, barometric pressure sensors, GPS sensors, and digital compass. I used a camera sensor, the user can take a picture of the plant and scan out the plant's name and information and geographic location. I also use a GPS sensor. Users can search the map for the plant they want to find, and can also share the geographic location of the added plant on the map, so that other users can then see the location of the plant. At the same time, the proximity sensor is also used in this software, which will send a notification to the user when they are close by to a plant that they are looking for.
Solution - Target Audience
Scan Plants is mainly targeted towards young people who are eager to learn and be part of a community. I based my design for people who might want to learn more about plants and want to learn more about Maori culture through learning about Rongoa and nature. I also wanted to target younger people, as they may be on their phones more, and may need some encouragement or incentive to go outside.
Solution - Persona
Solution - User Journey
Solution - User Flow
Solution - Wireframes
I tried to make a start page, home page and community page. I tried to make it easy for user to understand easy to use.
The camera page, when users scan the plant and find the information page, I also tried to make the map page.
Solution - Prototype
I made the start page by using a plants photo and a small box. Inside the box has information about Scan Plants and a start button. The home page has a search bar, Categories, Community, maps and menu bar (home, map, camera, community and setting icons). When user want to join and learn Rongoa they can join the community to share information. Users can see the photos, description and map on this page.
The camera page, I made a camera view and add photos and scan buttons. User can use their camera to take a picture of a plant. After they scan the picture of plant it will take user to anther page which is the plant infomation page, it has its name and description, as well as a map to find it.
The map page has a search bar and add new location and a zoom button. Users can search the plant and the map will show the location of the plant. Users also can share new locations for the plants they have found. When users use the map and are near the plant, it will give users a notification, to help users find the plant.