MYOSÓTIS: A DESIGN-BASED RESEARCH APPROACH FOR REAL-WORLD IMPACT

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and development of the Myosótis Solution, an innovative mobile application aimed at preventing accidentally leaving children or animals unattended in vehicles. The project was undertaken as part of a master's degree dissertation and employed a development research methodology. This paper reports on the iterative process of designing, testing, and refining the Myosótis App using the principles of development research. The process began with the identification of the core problem and formulation of the primary research question. The design phase focused on integrating advanced sensors (e.g., CO₂, humidity, and human presence detection) and wireless communication technologies (LoRa and GSM) to develop a responsive and user-friendly application. Throughout the research, key stakeholders, including educators, developers, technical experts, and end-users, were engaged in several iterations to evaluate and enhance the app's usability, functionality, and social impact. The study also explored how the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) methodologies facilitated active learning and social responsibility among participating students. The Myosótis App was found to be accessible, effective, and socially impactful, successfully addressing the critical issue of safety in vehicles. However, challenges such as development costs, technical limitations, and the need for further optimisation were identified. This study focused on a limited sample of participants and controlled environments. Further studies are required to assess scalability and adaptability in diverse contexts. The findings offer valuable insights for practitioners developing mobile applications aimed at addressing real-world safety concerns, particularly in educational and socially responsible contexts. This study provides a unique contribution by demonstrating the role of development research in creating a socially impactful application and highlights the potential of STEAM methodologies in fostering innovation and responsibility among young learners. The Myosótis App serves as a model for leveraging technology to solve pressing societal challenges.