Melli

Research Lines

Financing entity
Agencia de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
Period
Thursday, 23 July, 2020 to Friday, 23 April, 2021
Scope
Head of project
David Miralles Esteban
Research Group
Research Line
Project type

In the dietary eHealth industry today, there is a palpable concern in the growing adoption of fitness & wellness devices and related platforms. The way they implement gamified, persuasive models of designed experience to engage and inform users of their health data is flawed, inaccurate, and lacking in mindfulness- (essential for a healthy change in habit). The impact these devices are causing in the long-term use for people can range from obsession, declined wellbeing, to complete abandonment of the tools, and demotivation in their wellness goals, according to experts for InStyle magazine and other research articles. Melli, is an empathetic system that integrate wellness programs with a new model of experience interaction and self-monitoring. After 4 years of research and working with professionals in the field, we have devised a platform that connect users with their data, professionals in the field, and other devices. We began testing viability with a smart measuring tape as a tool supporting the system, and the user’s journey. This proposal's embedded new model of interaction instead of using, gamification and nudging tools to engage users, it echoes the current trend in HCI: focus on empathy, self-reflection, and human-system collaboration where users have more freedom over their objectives, context and affective states. In the past year we have matured the model & tested a potential product concept with integrated machine learning and haptic technologies. So far, we have encouraging results leading us to believe in its potential for commercial introduction as a part of a system. The results show how users felt encouraged to reflect on their own body change progress establishing self-motivation for their next steps towards improvement or maintenance. When users learn, act, and improve their habits based on their own set goals and reflection with the support from tech, their overall short- and long-term health experience becomes sustainable fortifying trust and a closer relationship with their products and brands. This new model that produces a more sustainable experience directly impacts how people perceive and love their services, objects, and brands. This can result, not only in a scientific contribution opportunity for but also an opportunity to explore value driven propositions for products and services centered around the user’s needs beyond current commercial prospects. Thus shifting current business model structures in the eHealth industry.

Aquest projecte ha estat cofinançat per la Unió Europea a través del Fons Europeu de Desenvolupament Regional (FEDER) i compta amb el suport de la Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya.