Context 

Life consists on various tasks; namely projects, work, meetings or assignments. More often than not, people find it difficult to fulfil these tasks due to various distractions (often involved with daily life digital devices) we now refer to as ‘procrastination’. Rockastinator is a physical and interactive device that will constantly remind you you’re deviating from your duties, help you working more effectively, and even tell you to take a break.

How does it work?

This device has the ability to seamlessly connect with your daily life in order to learn your habits and act accordingly. It can enter your google account and browsing history and even “hear” your surroundings in order to know precisely what major tasks you have pending and how you’re deviating from them. Once it detects you’re engaging in procrastination it will trigger a certain alarm, namely moving around, making noises or sending embarrassing tweets mentioning you. In contrast, when the device detects you’re doing your tasks effectively, it will help you by playing some of your favorite music, and if you work too much, it will distract you in order to stop.

Process

We used 3D printing for the main structure and Arduino for programming the prototype.  

Value & potential

Rockastinator has the potential of really changing the habits of its users, given the playful and entertaining way it manages to grab their attention to more fruitful results. It’s a device designed for a good and sometimes necessary purpose, as the digital content brought both benefits and productivity distractors.

Features

It connects to your life, it has a built-in Wifi so it seamlessly connects to your devices in order to learn your procrastination behaviours.

The little robot is an active fellow, it will move around to capture your attention and even escape from you. It can also talk to you so playfully can tell you to get back to your chores, but we prefer to say it will Rock your productivity!