Exploring the role of unobtrusive technology in mindful nature experiences

Abstract: Spending time in nature will improve your physical and psychological health, but doing this is currently an exception rather than the norm. Technology has enabled simulated immersive nature experiences that can be experienced on the users conditions, but these lack the physical and multisensory qualities that authentic nature have. The aim of this thesis was to explore how technology could be used to enable and strengthen authentic nature experiences, without stealing attention. The findings from a user-centred design process served as the foundation for a forest bathing inspired service. The design proposal used a holistic approach that intended to make nature experiences more accessible, but also more mindful and undemanding. The user tests showed promising results, but future work could benefit from taking a more narrow approach, to generate more specific knowledge to the growing field of interaction design in a nature context.