Team members:
Michelle Li, Omar Ramirez, Rui Wang (School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)
Pai Liu, Han Tang, Litang Wang (Academy of Fine Arts, Tsing Hua University, Beijing)

Mazu is a modular communication system that keeps solo travellers in touch with loved ones back home, while also providing a safety net for the traveller in medical emergencies.

Our group of travellers were of different cultural backgrounds from all around the world. Synthesizing our user data, we found a correlation between the sense of adventures within travellers and their level of sociability, that is, their willingness to speak to strangers and meet new people. This is especially important for travellers wanting a cross-cultual exchange as they are able to learn and experience more of the local culture. The travellers clustered in the top-right corner are more likely to travel on their own and to venture out of their comfort zone. From analyzing our data we decided to focus our target group on the solo culture seeker types.

The culture seekers are those who enjoy travelling outside of their country/continent in search of different cultural experiences. That is, westerners travelling to Africa, Asia, etc. or Chinese travelling to South America or Europe, for example. Cultural and language barriers only add to the excitement and discovery of a new place. The solo traveller chooses to visit a new destination to explore a different way of living, gain new perspectives of the world and to challenge oneself. This group exhibits strong characteristics of strong-willingness, adaptability and sociability.

View the process report (pdf)

Interaction video of Mazu in use: