For the Forrester Consumer Forum, Hartmut Esslinger envisioned how future technology will influence and shape notions of community and tribalism, education and self-awareness, trust and global citizenship.
The idea behind the Tribons concept is based upon a computer systems concept which has social relevance. These ultra lightweight and powerful systems connect kids with friends and family and through this provide emotional support which is necessary to compensate the trend of children growing up anonymously in cities and separation caused by increased mobility.
The idea was to develop software that challenges the natural curiosity of kids and supports their learning by offering relevant information in a playful and stimulating way.
Tribons are digital mentors, which support the personal interests of kids and show pathways to increase knowledge and to develop skills. But they also offer information and experiences, which are lacking in the actual life of the user. To enhance the possibility of reaching global citizenship, the system should educate and make possible the understanding and participation in environments not otherwise possible in the physical sense to the sure. An urban child, through use of Tribons, would be introduced to the world of nature and biology, and similarly, a child reared in a rural environment would be able to enhance their knowledge of the urban landscape.
The accessories developed to include a head piece that is controlled by an intuitive 3D interface that projects educational material and has a safety system that lets parents track their children. An extra medical module can monitor the wearer's health.
The wearable system uses future laser projection technology and is controlled by an intuitive 3D user interface.
The Tribons system helps not only with information and education capabilities but also has a safety system / emergency alarm system integrated which allows parents to track and protect their children. An extra medical module offers surveillance of the users health parameters in case of chronic illness and the possibility of injuries.
