Wing-See Yau's Yomi device gamifies reading with digital pet rewards
Brunel University graduate Wing-See Yau has designed Yomi, a Tamagotchi-like device that converts children's reading time into points to grow a digital pet. The compact gadget, presented at the New Designers graduate fair, earned her the Cadbury-Mondelez International Award. Yomi uses a built-in camera to scan book barcodes and a microphone to detect reading aloud. Reading cycles last 14 days, with the pet evolving from baby to mythic form. Long-term progress is tracked via a 'Tree of Knowledge' screen, and users collect genre-based badges. Yau's research found only 33% of UK children enjoy reading, prompting her to create a focused device rather than an app to avoid distractions. The name derives from Japanese 'yomu' (to read).
Key facts
- Wing-See Yau designed Yomi, a Tamagotchi-like device that rewards reading with digital pet growth.
- Yomi was developed during Yau's final year at Brunel University.
- It was presented at the New Designers graduate fair and won the Cadbury-Mondelez International Award.
- The device converts reading time into points that evolve a digital pet over a 14-day cycle.
- A built-in camera scans book barcodes to log genre and start sessions.
- A microphone detects when children read aloud.
- Long-term progress is shown via a 'Tree of Knowledge' screen.
- Yau's research found only 33% of UK children enjoy reading.
Entities
Artists
- Wing-See Yau
Institutions
- Brunel University
- New Designers
- Cadbury-Mondelez International Award
- Dezeen
Locations
- United Kingdom
Sources
- Dezeen —