Please describe your proposed solution.
<u>Problem Statement / Motivation</u>
This proposal aims to tackle the following two problems:
<u>1 - Sedentary lifestyle</u>
The lack of physical activity is a significant concern in developed countries, with sedentary lifestyles becoming increasingly common. Many adults and adolescents do not meet recommended exercise levels, leading to various health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and mental health disorders.
This sedentary behavior imposes a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems and societies. Children and youth are particularly affected, as they engage in less physical play and more screen time. Inequities exist, with disadvantaged populations facing higher levels of physical inactivity, exacerbating health disparities.
Promoting physical activity requires a multi-sectoral approach, including educational initiatives, workplace wellness programs, urban planning changes, and the development of recreational facilities and community spaces.
<u>2 - Adoption of real-world use cases</u>
While Cardano has gained significant attention and adoption in various industries, there are still areas where real-world projects are currently missing.
<u>The Solution and the Role of Cardano</u>
The team will create an exciting GPS adventure designed specifically for students (aged between 7 and 15) in Espoo, Finland. The pilot project promotes physical activity by providing engaging themed treasure hunts that inspire participants to explore the city. By offering this captivating adventure, individuals are encouraged to get moving, discover new locations, and actively engage with their surroundings. To carry out the pilot project, we will leverage the pre-existing network of students from the School of Gaming (SOG) in Espoo.
SOG provides a secure space for gamers and aims to bring game education to every corner of the world. Their mission promotes the idea that anyone can become a gamer, fostering a learning environment where individuals can connect with others globally and have fun in an inclusive and safe setting. Additional information regarding SOG will be presented in the section provided below.
The pilot project will create a unique experience utilizing the capabilities of the Cardano blockchain to create and distribute native assets. Through the registration process facilitated by the Cardano Beam app, students will effortlessly create their own Cardano wallet. This seamless setup enables them to dive into the world of Web3 technology and easily grasp its distinctive features. By embracing this user-friendly approach, students can swiftly gain knowledge about the fundamental aspects of web3 technology and its applications.
The proposal encompasses a range of technical extensions and improvements specifically targeted at enhancing the functionality and capabilities of Cardano Beam. Those are listed in the following:
- Checkpoints: Feature allows creators to create checkpoints throughout the stages of the GPS adventure, effectively reducing transaction fees associated with minting tokens. By incorporating this functionality, creators can strategically place checkpoints at specific milestones or significant locations within the adventure route.
- Distance Tracking: Capability to record "distance" through a tracking functionality. This enhancement enables users to accurately track and measure the distance they cover during various activities, such as running, walking, cycling, or any other form of physical movement.
- Leaderboard: Ability to display a leaderboard showcasing all participants of the GPS adventure. With this functionality, users can see a comprehensive list of individuals taking part in the GPS adventure, providing a sense of competition, camaraderie, and motivation.
The integration of digital and physical activity is achieved through the utilization of Cardano native assets. Once collected, the native assets are retained by the participants, who can then utilize them for various purposes, such as using them as access verification tokens for different parts of the adventure.
<u>Real and Digital Worlds - </u><u>Combined</u><u>!</u>
During this interactive adventure, students engage in a captivating experience that seamlessly merges the virtual world of Minecraft with the real-world surroundings of Espoo. By utilizing their gaming skills, such as solving riddles within dedicated Minecraft servers, and exploring the local environment, participants embark on a dynamic quest that leads them to fascinating cultural sites. This unique adventure ensures an unforgettable journey that aligns with the adventure's goals.
<u>Driving Adoption / Implementation Guide</u>
In addition to the pilot project, the team will develop an "Implementation Guide" that serves as a comprehensive resource. This guide will empower other cities and organizations to adopt and adapt the ideas pioneered by our team, fostering the global adoption of Cardano. By sharing our insights and knowledge, we aim to encourage widespread participation and collaboration, fostering a thriving Cardano community worldwide. Together, we can collectively contribute to the global expansion and utilization of Cardano's innovative solutions.
Furthermore, the guide includes a concept for adult adventures that can be implemented by the Cardano community. This concept offers a variety of engaging activities, such as incentivized competitions, to pique their interest. Participants will be challenged to embark on an exciting quest that not only involves digital interactions but also requires them to explore the physical surroundings of their respective cities.
How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?
<u>Addressing the Challenge</u>
Introducing an innovative way to enhance the accessibility of the Cardano NFT ecosystem and introduce new users to the world of Cardano: Fun GPS Adventures! This exciting pilot initiative aims to bridge the gap between technology and real-world experiences by combining the power of Cardano's NFTs with interactive location-based adventures.
As you embark on your GPS adventure, you'll encounter a variety of Cardano NFTs strategically placed throughout the course. These NFTs might represent digital collectibles, artwork, or even special rewards that can be redeemed within the Cardano blockchain. Each NFT you discover will not only provide an exciting moment of discovery but also act as a gateway to introduce you to the incredible possibilities and functionalities of Cardano.
Further future adaptation and integration of ongoing Cardano projects, such as Atala Prism, are possible and further the overall picture of possibilities in Cardano.
<u>Utilizing NMKR</u>
The pilot project will seamlessly merge the virtual world of Minecraft with the real world in Espoo, all thanks to the NMKR API. By leveraging this technology, we are bringing an extraordinary and immersive experience to the students of Espoo.
Our project aims to bridge the gap between the digital realm of Minecraft and the physical environment of Espoo, creating a unique and interactive fusion. Through the NMKR API, we enable users to seamlessly navigate between the virtual and real world, blurring the boundaries and opening up a world of possibilities.
In our pilot project, we will use the NMKR platform for the creation of all NFTs. This decision ensures a seamless and streamlined process for developing and managing the digital assets within the project.
<u>Implementation Guide for other Projects</u>
This proposal includes the release of a comprehensive "Implementation Guide" that is designed to empower other cities and organizations to adopt and adapt the idea piloted by our initiative, thereby contributing to the global adoption of Cardano. Within this guide, one notable concept that stands out is the exploration of the "gamification of tourism."
One notable example highlighted in the guide is the exploration of the "gamification of tourism." We have leveraged the power of Cardano to transform the tourism experience, incorporating gamified elements to engage and captivate visitors in new and exciting ways. By incorporating game mechanics, rewards, and interactive elements, we have created a unique and immersive tourism experience that enhances visitor engagement and encourages exploration.
The Implementation Guide serves as a valuable tool for creating engaging GPS adventures that not only captivate visitors but also foster a deeper connection with local parks, public places, and essential public services such as sports facilities and museums. By incorporating gamified elements, we have developed an innovative approach that enhances the overall well-being of individuals and strengthens their engagement with the surrounding community.
This guide provides detailed insights and step-by-step instructions on leveraging Cardano's capabilities to design captivating GPS adventures. It outlines strategies for integrating interactive elements, rewards, and gamified challenges into the tourism experience, encouraging visitors to explore public spaces, participate in physical activities, and discover cultural attractions.
How do you intend to measure the success of your project?
The pilot initiative of virtual treasure hunts offers several tangible and realistic benefits to the Cardano ecosystem. By promoting physical activity and engagement, the project has the potential to enhance Cardano's productivity and growth in both the short and long term. The following benefits can be measured through various metrics:
- Increased user engagement and adoption of Cardano's native assets.
- Expansion of the Cardano native asset ecosystem.
- Positive exposure and marketing for Cardano.
- Creation of a vibrant community within the Cardano ecosystem.
- Development of innovative use cases beyond traditional financial transactions.
- Third party involvement (eg. shops, cafes and businesses, sports facilities, tourist attractions and nature destinations)
To measure these benefits, a combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics will be employed.
- User feedback and satisfaction surveys can gauge the participants' experiences and opinions.
- Tracking the number of organizations and individuals participating in the virtual treasure hunts will provide insights into the project's impact on Cardano's adoption.
- Monitoring the creation and diversity of Cardano native assets for the treasure hunts will demonstrate the growth and innovation within the ecosystem.
Additionally, measuring media coverage, social media mentions, and the reach of related content will reflect the project's impact on Cardano's exposure and marketing efforts.
Overall, the pilot initiative of virtual treasure hunts aligns with the objective of promoting physical activity while adding value to the Cardano ecosystem. Through realistic and measurable metrics, the project's impact on Cardano's productivity and growth can be assessed, showcasing its potential to drive adoption, foster innovation, and create a vibrant community within the Cardano ecosystem.
Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?
Our plan is to have a very transparent communication towards the city of Espoo, towards the Cardano Community (via presentation in the Catalyst Town Hall Meetings) and regional Zoom calls (e.g. European Cardano Town Hall). Additionally, all participants of the Minecraft and GPS Adventures as well are their parents will be given access to all components of the solution and how all elements work together.
Two major information rounds will take place:
Milestone M2: Design complete / ready for the adventure!
- Here, all registered participants of the adventure and their parents/legal guardians will be informed about the necessary steps to start the adventure. A platform for interacting with other participants (i.e. Discord) will be explained and the support channels for the different components (e.g. Cardano Beam support, School of Gaming support) will be introduced. Around the same time, the project team will create a summary (5 - 6 slides; aprox. 15 min duration) for the Cardano Community. The session will take place in a Break out Room of the Global Catalyst Town Hall.
Milestone M3: Execution report and Lessons Learned
- At this milestone, the project team will present impressions from the adventure, comments (e.g. verbally, written, video) showing how the adventure was being planned and conducted by the participants. Additionally, the core team and relevant stakeholders (i.e. participants, parents and friends) will conduct a lessons learned workshop. The results from this workshop will be presented both to the city of Espoo and also to the Cardano Community (also in a Break out Room in the Global Catalyst Town Hall).