Master Digital Design Students showcase projects at ThingsCon
Four projects of the students of the Master Digital Design were part of the exhibition of this year’s ThingsCon conference and exhibition in Amsterdam. Echo, Ecolens, Stroll, and Tutu, were selected as some of the best work from the first round of team projects of this academic year.
Echo
Echo reimagines the preservation and sharing of our digital lives, transforming scattered digital moments into a meaningful legacy. By allowing people to label content in a range of social and media platforms, Echo supports the creation of a highly personalised digital legacy experience. The project comprises three key components: The Echo System, a platform for curating personal narratives from existing media platforms; The Legacy Key, a secure and private vault for cherished digital memories; and The Echo Portal, a physical installation that allows loved ones to engage with the curated stories through an immersive experience. By collecting and securing significant digital fragments—such as photos, messages, and music playlists—Echo creates a connection between technology and human emotion, ensuring that individual stories continue to inspire and comfort future generations.
EcoLens
Governments around the world face increasing pressure to address the urgent and complex challenges of the climate crisis. EcoLens explores how AI might be involved in or potentially reshape this process, offering a speculative vision of policymaking that is both inclusive and data-driven.
EcoLens is a desktop application for policymakers that provides an insightful perspective on the role AI could play in climate-related government decision-making. It questions how new technologies could change traditional power structures, helping to create fairer and more open processes. At the same time, the project raises critical ethical questions: how do we ensure that AI supports rather than replaces human judgment? Can such tools help overcome existing biases? How do we hold them accountable in high-stakes environments?
This speculative approach invites reflection on the opportunities and challenges in integrating AI into public governance, particularly when addressing complex issues like climate change. EcoLens offers a vision of technological collaboration while encouraging dialogue about the ethical dimensions of AI in shaping collective futures.
Stroll
Stroll is an AI-powered navigation tool that promotes strolling without scrolling - that is, it’s there to help you enjoy your walks phone-free.
Before you start, you pair the two-part device with your phone and set up a destination. The device will upload the route and you can put your phone away. Like this, you can enjoy the moment without any distractions.
The navigation assistant works through two small devices which are easy to take along with you in your pocket or strapped to your backpack or clothing. They vibrate when it’s time for you to take a turn. And in case of an emergency, the device can dial a pre-established number to come to the rescue.
Tutu
Loneliness and social isolation are widespread challenges among the aging population, significantly impacting their mental and physical health, independence, and overall quality of life. As the global population ages, these issues are becoming more pressing, with the number of people aged 65 or over expected to triple by 2100.
In our research, we uncovered a related but often overlooked pain point: many older adults are targeted by fraudulent phone calls. These scams not only put them at financial risk but also cause significant emotional distress, often leaving them feeling confused and unsafe.
This is where Tutu comes in. Tutu is a smart companion designed to offer support during stressful situations. Using heart-rate monitoring, Tutu detects spikes in anxiety such as those caused by suspicious phone calls and proactively checks in by asking the user if they are feeling ok. If the user is unsure whether a phone call is suspicious, they can double-check with Tutu, which will guide them on how to handle the situation.
Beyond this, individuals can also initiate the conversation with Tutu themselves whenever they feel overwhelmed, unsure, or in need of reassurance. By being both proactive and responsive, Tutu coaches older adults through navigating difficult moments with confidence while enhancing their sense of safety and overall quality of life.
