Bindii

Transforming Screen Time to Green Time

As Head of Product Experience at GovHack 2022, I led our team in creating Bindii, an innovative mobile application that transforms children's screen time into meaningful outdoor exploration. In just 48 hours, we developed a solution that not only won multiple awards but addressed two critical challenges facing Australian society: excessive screen time among children and the pressing need for environmental conservation.

Understanding the Challenge

The challenge we faced was multifaceted and compelling. Australian children aged 6-13 spend an average of 2.5 hours daily on screens for entertainment purposes, contributing to reduced outdoor activity and potential developmental issues.

Simultaneously, Australia's biodiversity faces unprecedented threats, with 100 endemic species already extinct and 110 currently endangered. This is where the opportunity arose to address both challenges through innovative technology.

The Breakthrough Moment

From this, the concept that would become Bindii emerged – a gamified nature discovery platform inspired by the engagement mechanics of Pokémon GO but focused on real Australian flora and fauna. The name itself emerged from a creative discussion about Australian identity, combining references to both the iconic Ibis and the native Bindii plant, symbolising our commitment to celebrating Australia's unique biodiversity.

Product Vision and Design

  • We designed an experience that transforms passive screen time into active learning. Through augmented reality and gamification, children discover and learn about native species in their natural habitats. The educational content isn't just delivered – it's discovered through exploration and adventure.

  • Understanding that peer interaction drives engagement, I prioritised social features that allow children to compete and collaborate. Users can track progress against friends, participate in species "bounty hunts," and share discoveries, creating a community of young naturalists.

  • Perhaps most importantly, I ensured that every interaction within the app serves a larger purpose. When children photograph and catalog species, they're not just playing a game – they're contributing to a valuable database of species locations and populations, helping conservation efforts across Australia.

The product vision was structured around three core pillars.

Technical Innovation Under Pressure

Working within the 48-hour constraint of GovHack presented unique challenges. I coordinated our team to focus on key features that would demonstrate the concept's viability:

Image Recognition System

We developed a prototype for species identification that could distinguish between native and introduced species, laying the groundwork for future AI implementation.

Augmented Reality Experience

The AR component was designed to overlay educational content onto real-world environments, making learning immersive and contextual.

Safety-First Design

It was understood that we needed incorporate safety alerts for dangerous species and clear guidance for appropriate interaction with wildlife, making parent trust a cornerstone of the design.

Impact and Recognition

Our solution resonated strongly with judges and stakeholders, earning multiple national and international awards. The recognition validated our approach to solving complex social and environmental challenges through engaging digital experiences. The potential impact of Bindii extends across several dimensions:

Environmental Education

By making nature exploration exciting and rewarding, we're helping create a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who understand and care about conservation.

Scientific Contribution

The platform's citizen science component provides researchers and conservationists with valuable data about species distribution and population trends, supporting evidence-based conservation efforts.

Screen Time Revolution

We're not fighting against screen time – we're transforming it into a tool for outdoor engagement and learning, addressing parents' concerns while maintaining children's interest in technology.

Conclusion

Bindii represents more than just a successful hackathon project – it's a blueprint for how thoughtful product design can address complex societal challenges. By combining gamification, education, and citizen science, we created a platform that has the potential to transform how children interact with both technology and nature.