Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable

Abstract The rapid urbanization has led to the loss of natural spaces and a subsequent disconnection between humans and nature, negatively affecting residents’ well-being and environmental awareness. There is a a growing interest in leveraging technology to address this gap in Human-Computer Interac...

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Main Authors: Zhuying Li, Si Cheng, Xiaoqing Sun, Xipei Ren, Yan Wang, Min-Ling Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81576-8
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author Zhuying Li
Si Cheng
Xiaoqing Sun
Xipei Ren
Yan Wang
Min-Ling Zhang
author_facet Zhuying Li
Si Cheng
Xiaoqing Sun
Xipei Ren
Yan Wang
Min-Ling Zhang
author_sort Zhuying Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The rapid urbanization has led to the loss of natural spaces and a subsequent disconnection between humans and nature, negatively affecting residents’ well-being and environmental awareness. There is a a growing interest in leveraging technology to address this gap in Human-Computer Interaction. This article introduces GoChirp, an AI-powered wearable device for enhancing nature relatedness within urban landscapes. By utilizing machine learning algorithms, GoChirp recognizes bird sounds in the environment and provides haptic feedback that mimics the bird flapping, directing users’ attention to avian life and fostering a heightened awareness and connection to nature. To evaluate GoChirp, we conducted a week-long field study with 36 urban participants divided into two groups: an experimental group using GoChirp and a control group using a dummy device. We used pre- and post-study questionnaires to assess changes in participants’ nature relatedness. Additional questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were employed to evaluate the device’s usability and user experience. The results suggest that AI-powered wearables like GoChirp, have the potential to augment individual’s sensory and cognitive capabilities, enabling a deeper connection with the natural environment. This could further enhance users’ well-being and potentially foster a greater sense of responsibility towards the natural environment, leading to mutual benefits between humans and nature.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-2895e47db9b349b7b96cc345ef17fd3e2025-01-12T12:21:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111210.1038/s41598-024-81576-8Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearableZhuying Li0Si Cheng1Xiaoqing Sun2Xipei Ren3Yan Wang4Min-Ling Zhang5School of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast UniversitySchool of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast UniversitySchool of Design and Arts, Beijing Institute of TechnologySchool of Design and Arts, Beijing Institute of TechnologyNan Tien InstituteSchool of Computer Science and Engineering, Southeast UniversityAbstract The rapid urbanization has led to the loss of natural spaces and a subsequent disconnection between humans and nature, negatively affecting residents’ well-being and environmental awareness. There is a a growing interest in leveraging technology to address this gap in Human-Computer Interaction. This article introduces GoChirp, an AI-powered wearable device for enhancing nature relatedness within urban landscapes. By utilizing machine learning algorithms, GoChirp recognizes bird sounds in the environment and provides haptic feedback that mimics the bird flapping, directing users’ attention to avian life and fostering a heightened awareness and connection to nature. To evaluate GoChirp, we conducted a week-long field study with 36 urban participants divided into two groups: an experimental group using GoChirp and a control group using a dummy device. We used pre- and post-study questionnaires to assess changes in participants’ nature relatedness. Additional questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were employed to evaluate the device’s usability and user experience. The results suggest that AI-powered wearables like GoChirp, have the potential to augment individual’s sensory and cognitive capabilities, enabling a deeper connection with the natural environment. This could further enhance users’ well-being and potentially foster a greater sense of responsibility towards the natural environment, leading to mutual benefits between humans and nature.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81576-8
spellingShingle Zhuying Li
Si Cheng
Xiaoqing Sun
Xipei Ren
Yan Wang
Min-Ling Zhang
Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable
Scientific Reports
title Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable
title_full Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable
title_fullStr Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable
title_full_unstemmed Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable
title_short Tuning into urban birdsong: enhancing nature connectedness with an AI-powered wearable
title_sort tuning into urban birdsong enhancing nature connectedness with an ai powered wearable
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81576-8
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