Description:

With the world’s population expected to reach 9.8 billion and require 70% more food by 2050, current soil gardening methods will struggle to meet these future food demands and space constraints. Hydroponic systems, known for their efficient growth rates and yields, offer a practical solution in compact, high-consuming environments. Hydro Voyage engages kids aged 5+ in hydroponic gardening through an educational and playful journey with the goal of cultivating interest and awareness in the next generation of gardeners.

Hydro Voyage blends education and play through an engaging metaphor, inviting kids to embark on a journey with their fleet of boats. Each boat serves as a mini hydroponic system, allowing kids to plant seeds and witness the plant's growth as their "voyage" progresses. The experience begins with a crane module where kids load the boats full of growing medium and sprinkle on seeds; the crane's flap doors can be folded down, covering the boat and creating a controlled environment for germination. Once the seeds have sprouted, the boats set sail on their journey. Using the tracker, the little gardeners can keep track of their boat's journey using it as a guide for when to move the boat closer to its destination. By gamifying hydroponics, the design makes an advanced agricultural method accessible and exciting for young learners.

The design of Hydro Voyage centres around vibrant, pastel-coloured boats, ensuring a safe and engaging user experience. Each boat is crafted with an ergonomic form that allows small hands to handle them comfortably. Hydro Voyage is intuitive and child-friendly, featuring straightforward assembly and maintenance processes. Its hydroponic system operates efficiently, requiring only periodic water replenishment and light exposure to support plant growth. This design makes the product minimal maintenance and easy to use while demonstrating the core principles of water-based plant growth. The product also comes with a guidebook that illustrates the set-up, growing and harvesting of the boats. This book also features a plant glossary that contains a variety of microgreens that the little gardeners can choose from and grow.
Challenges in the design process included ensuring water containment, optimising the growth environment, and maintaining aesthetic appeal. These were addressed through rigorous prototyping and testing, resulting in a refined compelling and functional product. To ensure that the product was as accessible, safe and easy to understand as possible, consistent user testing was implemented throughout the design process, these sessions drove the development of this project.

Hydro Voyage elevates its purpose by creating an accessible connection between children and hydroponic gardening. It also enables kids who don't have access to traditional gardening conditions the opportunity to grow nutritious greens for themselves and their families.

Hydro Voyage fosters social and environmental awareness through play, encouraging sustainable healthy habits from an early age. Not only does Hydro Voyage prepare the next generation for a more sustainable future but it also inspires creativity and curiosity, making it a great example of how education can be integrated with play.