The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre congratulates Kho Renjiro, Lim Jia Zheng, Hoo Zhi Ling, Khor Jia Hui, Tan Hao, Ling Heng Hua from the School of Computing and Data Science for receiving prizes at the 6th National Symposium on Human-Computer Interaction (FUSION 2024). 

Organized by myHCI-UX, FUSION 2024 aims to explore this vital intersection, bringing together professionals, researchers, educators, and students to delve into the ethical dimensions of HCI, UI/UX design, and sustainability. Attendees can look forward to a dynamic program featuring keynote speeches, paper and poster presentations, and student design challenge.

Group 1

Student Name: Kho Renjiro, Lim Jia Zheng

Advisor Name: Dr. Ili Farhana Md Mahtar

Project Name: EcoMunch: A Gamified Solution to Food Waste and Sustainability

Abstract:

Food waste is a global issue that significantly impacts the environment, economy, and society, with millions of tons discarded annually. To tackle this issue, a food recycling solution inspired by Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) was designed. The machine integrates gamification in its interface to increase recycling rates through cashback rewards, which facilitates easy food recycling, allowing customers to dispose of and transform food waste into compost.

Student Testimony:

“Taking part in the Fusion 2024 SDC competition was tough, but it was definitely a worthwhile experience. Even though we had difficulties with time management and poster design, our advisor, Dr. Ili Farhana Md Mahtar, helped us overcome those challenges. We received Special Award for the 'Undergraduate: Ideas/Concept – Low Fidelity Prototype' category. While this competition improved our research and presentation skills, it also brought an enormous sense of satisfaction and personal growth.”

Group 2

Student Name: Hoo Zhi Ling, Khor Jia Hui

Advisor Name: Dr. Ili Farhana Md Mahtar

Project Name: EcoPet: Gamified Paper Recycler for Campus

Abstract:

In Malaysia, paper constitutes about 25% of total waste, with a recycling rate of around 40%. To address this low recycling rate, an innovative Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) for handling paper waste is proposed to be used inside university compounds. User-Centered Design (UCD) is employed as the method to ensure the RVM is tailored to the unique needs of college students, who often accumulate paper waste from academic materials. The user interface of the RVM features a virtual pet game that rewards users with virtual currency, which can be exchanged for virtual pet accessories, creating a fun and interactive incentive for students.

Student Testimony:

“Upon joining the Fusion 2024 Competition (Student Design Challenge), my participation pushed me to sharpen my skills and gave me the confidence to take on more challenging projects. The mentorship and feedback from industry experts were invaluable in refining our project. I gained hands-on experience in teamwork, problem-solving, and project management, which has boosted my confidence. I highly recommend SDC Fusion to anyone looking to challenge themselves and expand their skills.”

Group 3

Student Name: Tan Hao, Ling Heng Hua

Advisor Name: Dr. Ili Farhana Md Mahtar

Project Name: Eco-Arcade: Gamified Reverse Vending Machine for Recycling

Abstract:

Statistics show that recycling is important for Malaysia to sustain. However, landfill is still the primary action to waste disposal. To propose a solution to the issue, an innovative Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) integrated with a gamified user interface to promote recycling is designed. The uniqueness of this RVM lies in its arcade game-like interface. Users are rewarded for recycling by unlocking and playing games, or they can choose to donate their rewards to a charity organisation of their choice.

Student Testimony:

“This was our first academic competition in university. We are very grateful to Dr. Ili for her guidance throughout the journey, which gave us the opportunity to participate. Through this competition, we encountered outstanding talents from different universities and learned a lot from the seminars. Overall, it was a great experience!”