UX
&
Animals
The primary focus of this particular case study is to delve the issue of social isolation that has emerged as a direct consequence of the lockdowns that have been implemented in various regions across the globe.
Theses have resulted in individuals and their furry companions being confined to their homes, unable to venture outside and interact with others.
The project aims to investigate the potential of ACI Technology as a possible solution to this problem, which has become a growing concern for many.
Problem Statement
People, especially estranged family members, felt isolated and unable to socialise and communicate as a result of the COVID lockdown. Those who had pets felt confined in their homes as well. It was difficult for owners, particularly elderly owners, to interact with their pets by playing with them or taking the dog for a walk.
Additionally, this has had a significant impact on the pets' mental health. They were depressed and felt alone. In an effort to comprehend animal psychology and their perspective, numerous studies involving ACI technologies are currently being conducted.
Investigation
The ACI (Animal Computer Interface) technology has been developing recently. Following Ms. Manchini's lecture, my understanding of ACI enabled me to further analyse how to "Amplify connections" at home. It inspired me to research the prospects for creating an interactive game that uses both human and animal brains.
There are ongoing studies about human-animal cooperative games
(Mancini,et.al ,2020).The entire concept, a game called "Pet Vet" that involves both the pet owner and the pet, is futuristic but entirely doable. By "pet," we mean a dog or a cat that has received some sort of training to obey rules.
Proposal
The proposal has been to develop a game that enables both the owner and their pet to take part in game using consoles at the comforts of their homes.
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Game Objective: 
In Pet Vet Adventures, the pet owner plays as a veterinarian, who treats various ailments and injuries on their own pet and other animals.The player must successfully diagnose and treat the animal's condition to progress to the next level.
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Gameplay: The game offers an immersive experience for players interested in veterinary medicine. With various scenarios and challenges, players can test their skills diagnosing and treating animals. By earning points, players can upgrade their clinic and purchase new equipment.
Design Thinking Aspects
We have to consider the following aspects while thinking of developing a game that involves ACI Technology
State of the Art:
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In more recent years, ACI has become a growing field of research with a variety of applications, including animal welfare, cognitive neuroscience, and conservation biology.
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One of the main goals of ACI is to better understand animal behavior and cognition by studying their responses to computer interfaces. Researchers are exploring how animals can use ACI to control their environment, communicate with humans, and even collaborate with other animals.
Evolution of ACI Technology
Social & Environmental
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Increased human-animal bond: ACI technologies, like video games and wearable tech, can help people understand and interact with animals more effectively, resulting in a better human-animal bond.

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Animal welfare: ACI tech can enhance animal welfare by monitoring behavior and health. It can also educate people about animal biology, behavior, and conservation.
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Inclusivity: Technology used in the proposed game in discussion includes pet owners who are from different social backgrounds which also means the language settings ,
the avatar selection etc should cater to one’s personal style and cultural background.
That said, consideration to people who are vulnerable such as people or pets with disability
 should also be considered in a general way.
Viability
The game is released as a Freemium model ;The game could be available for free, but certain features or levels could be locked behind a paywall. This could entice players to pay for additional content and generate revenue.
In terms of funding, I would consider seeking investment from venture capitalists or angel investors. Alternatively, I plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds from the public and pet lovers. To sustain the game financially, it will be important to keep players engaged by adding new levels, pets, and features.
One potential barrier to consider is the cost of developing the game and maintaining the servers required to support it. Additionally, there may be regulatory hurdles to overcome, such as ensuring compliance with data privacy laws.
Systems Thinking
