Detecting and modeling play behavior using sensor-embedded rock-climbing equipment

  • Authors:

  • Hisakazu Ouchi;Yoshifumi Nishida;Ilwoong Kim;Yoichi Motomura;Hiroshi Mizoguchi

  • Affiliations:

  • Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan and Digital Human Research Center, AIST, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan;Digital Human Research Center, AIST, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan;Digital Human Research Center, AIST, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan;Digital Human Research Center, AIST, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan;Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki, Noda-shi, Chiba, Japan and Digital Human Research Center, AIST, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

Many injures during childhood are related to the use of playground equipment. Until recently, scientific data of how children actually use playground equipment were scarce. Childhood injury cases were not examined thoroughly from the perspective of how equipment can be modified for improving safety without ruining its attraction to children. To design age-appropriate and safer playground equipment, it is essential that scientific data on the interaction between children and this equipment be accumulated. Herein we report on studies to develop new playground equipment by applying sensor technology to examine the science behind children's interaction with playground equipment. We developed a rock-climbing wall equipped with force sensors to record the physical behavior of children while on the wall, thus allowing measurement of these behaviors in a more natural environment. Fifty force sensors installed in the developed rock-climbing wall are able to collect a large amount of data while children are playing with the equipment. The behavior data of 623 children were recorded in the present study. Herein, we also report on a child behavior prediction model created from the collected data.