Collect Experience Points In Real Life With GreenGoose

Mar 7th, 2011 by Rebekah

Imagine playing The Sims, but actually doing it in real life…. turning your everyday activities into a game. Imagine scoring points every time you take your vitamins, do regular exercise or even brush your teeth.

Well, the guys over at GreenGoose are doing just that, by slapping wireless sensors on just about anything.

This little San Francisco startup created this ‘game’ by embedding custom 915MHz radios and MEMS accelerometers in a variety of tiny transmitters with which you can mount onto everyday objects. Take your pick; a water bottle, a bicycle, or you can even mount it on a toothbrush.

The data collected from the accelerometers is reported back to the receiver in response to your actions, therefore increasing your score. Brush your teeth in time, take your vitamins, exercise within the range of the receiver and you’ll level up.

Currently, leveling up will not win you anything, but founder Brian Krejcarek says the company is planning to tie the points up with a real game an API to build the idea out. The company will sell starter kits starting February 28th for US$24 per kit.

Personally I would love to use these sensors and ‘level up’ in real life. Goodness knows I need some kind of incentive to make me exercise every day (currently I only exercise a couple of times a week). Of course, someone somewhere out there will probably hack the receiver to make themselves gain points without actually doing anything. Still, I do think it’s an interesting idea, and the video game geek in me agrees.

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