Technical Deconstruction

Trove v.2 : The Life Companion 

Exterior Form Overview

• Trove v2 is designed to feel comforting before it even turns on.

• It is wrapped in charcoal grey felt,  soft, tactile, and calming to the touch. The form is pillow-like and huggable, with a built-in cushion that allows users to lie down while interacting with it.

• Unlike v1, Trove v2 is lightweight and easy to move. A shoulder strap allows it to travel between spaces like  bedrooms, dorms, or shared living environments  without feeling heavy.

• The exterior features subtle orange, blue, and aqua detailing. When unzipped, the bag unfolds into a bright blue Trove-branded interior designed to showcase personal objects. 

• To increase privacy, users can extend a pull-out encapsulation hood over their heads during use. This creates a cocoon-like environment that supports reflection and emotional safety.

• Trove v2 also introduces an audio companion. The voice is warm, human-like, and female, guiding users through interactions while offering gentle words of encouragement.

Trove v.2 : The Life Companion (Deep Dive) 

Integrated Smartphone System Overview

• Introducing an entry-level smartphone allowed us to solve multiple design challenges within a single integrated system.

• Rather than building separate hardware for recording, playback, photography, and NFC interaction, the smartphone consolidates these functions. It supports multimedia storytelling (DI-08), improves security through built-in operating system protections, and simplifies the overall technical architecture.

• This approach reduces hardware complexity while increasing reliability and accessibility.

Trove v.2 : Interior Housing & Interaction

The phone is housed within a removable plastic interior insert inside Trove. It remains protected yet accessible,  users can remove it for charging or updates without dismantling the object.

When the bag is unzipped, the interior unfolds into a bright blue branded surface designed to showcase objects during interaction.

On-screen animations and colourful animated buttons guide users through each step. Visual feedback confirms actions such as scanning, recording, and playback. 

Trove v.2 : The Life Companion (User Work Flow) 

Recording a Story

• The user places an object with an attached NFC sticker on the cut-out orange “X”.

• The “X” represents the NFC scanning area.

• The system detects the tag.

• The user records an audio story about the object.

• The user takes a photograph of the object.

• The story, image, and NFC tag ID are linked together.

This creates a complete digital memory profile for the object.

Playback

• The user places the object back on the orange “X”.

• The NFC tag is detected.

• The associated story and image are retrieved.

• The story plays through the speaker.

• The image appears on screen.

The object becomes a physical trigger for memory recall.

Trove v.2 : The Life Companion (Techinical Component) 

• • The scanner should be used efficiently with a NFC antenna to increase the range link: https://www.tagstand.com/products/nfc-antenna-extender-38cm-long-w-2x-cr80-pads/ 

    • Support in the text: "Inbuilt smartphone NFC connectivity is extended using a Flomio NFC extension kit." (Page 8 of v2 Trove)

    • Support in the text: "There is an external NFC (Near-Field Communication) scanner for attaching stories to object NFC tags and allowing instant story playback." (Page 7 of v2 Trove)

  • With the NFC scanner being able to read and write we would need NFC tags or stickers to be placed on items as markers. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Original-Transparent-Rewritable-NFC-Enabled-Smartphones/dp/B0F24L4GDM?sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY

    • Support in the text: " attaching stories to object NFC tags and allowing instant story playback." (Page 7 of v2 Trove)

  • Galaxy A15 seems to work : https://www.walmart.com/ip/ST-SAMSUNG-S156V-CDMA-LTE-HANDSET-64GB-WALMART-POSA/12835817248?wl13=1190&selectedSellerId=0&wmlspartner=wlpa (link to the phone supporting NFC https://texas.gs.shi.com/product/49887186/Samsung-Galaxy-A15-5G)

    • Support in the text: "inbuilt touchscreen-based interface to control its functionality (Vodaphone N9 Smartphone concealed from view apart from the screen)." (Page 7 of the v2 Trove). But Vodaphone N9 available in Britain is discontinued. 

    • More functionality like buttons in old version are replaced by the phone: "Picture and video are captured by a front-facing camera built into the touchscreen device. Text is limited to a digital notepad view and an onscreen keyboard. Each object library item also displays a series of scrollable thumbnails denoting the different recorded stories in ascending order of date" (Page 8 of v2 Trove)

  • According to the youtube video the trove has a headphone compartment so we do need a headphone: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRZX110-BLK-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00NJ2M33I?sr=8-3

    • support in the text:" Each library entry lets the user add additional audio, picture, text, or video stories about that object (DI-11). Audio functionality is granted by an inbuilt headphone microphone. " (Page 8 of v2 Trove)

  • Container felt bag link: https://www.amazon.com/VOCOMO-Furniture-Adhesive-Protecting-Protector/dp/B0C814K7QW?sr=8-15-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY 

    • support in the text: " Trove V2 resembles a large felt bag. It retains the tangible connection between objects " (Page 7 of the v2 Trove)

Trove v.2 : The Life Companion (Software Component) 

Trove v.2 : The Life Companion (Github) 

• • Version Control: Github with README.md for easy documentation and open-source contribution in research: