Meet River Wizard, a digital companion designed to help children establish an emotional connection with nature by giving a voice to their local river and its friendly creatures. We propose to partner with the local Council in their efforts to protect biodiversity and promote physical activity by accessing the green and blue spaces in their borough. Our project is facilitated by a handheld device with a screen, made out of recycled plastic from ocean waste. It features an AI chatbot that enables our characters to have conversations with kids through the speaker and microphone. It is GPS-powered so it can be taken to designated locations to complete tasks, and there is a camera on the back to take photos of plants, animals, and objects. Through storytelling and group activities, we hope to educate children about their natural environment, encourage outdoor exploration, and make them more empathetic towards aquatic ecosystems.

By integrating AI into children's educational toy products, we aim to foster a connection between children and rivers, akin to making friends. Our research has shown that children enjoy pet-care games and can empathize with their virtual pets. We've also noted a culture in British classrooms where students take turns caring for a class pet. We believe our product can collaborate with the local council, allowing children to rent the product and explore local rivers. Empowered by AI, the product enables children to discover river wizards and communicate with them during their exploration. This AI feature is designed to make children feel as if they've made a new friend, thereby establishing an emotional bond with rivers. This indirect educational approach can enhance children's awareness of river health issues.

Children enjoy interacting with toys, which can serve as tools for expressing emotions. This interaction helps children understand their own feelings as well as those of others and can offer comfort during moments of sadness or anxiety, aiding in their learning of how to independently manage their emotions. This product not only accompanies children but also assists them in exploring nature, understanding rivers, and forming emotional connections with them. It's like planting a seed: with the companionship of a river pet during childhood, more individuals are likely to choose to give back to nature in the future, contributing to the improvement of river health issues.

This product benefits all local residents by providing children with educational insights into river ecosystems. It also supports local environmental agencies and councils in their efforts to raise awareness about river health. In the future, this will lead to an increased number of people contributing to the improvement of river health issues.

The design of this product is inspired by the pebbles found around rivers, which not only gives it a friendly appearance and a comfortable grip but also resonates with the river theme. The product primarily operates through AI-powered conversations, minimizing the need for excessive buttons. It features an innovative design with a ball pull rope interaction mode tailored to children's ways of playing, aligning with their playful nature. The material chosen is recyclable plastic from the ocean, reflecting its eco-friendly characteristics. The device is equipped with a soft lanyard to prevent it from falling during play.