Melanie Peham, Gert Breitfuss and Rafael Michalczuk. EVOLARIS - Enabling Mobile Innovation

1. The “ecoGator” app: Gamification for enhanced
energy efficiency in Europe

2. 2
ecoGator
Agenda
› The “ecoGator” project
› Co-Creation process
› Research question
› The gamification concept
› Conclusion & Summary

3. 3
ecoGator
The “ecoGator” project
12 European partners develop the smartphone app “ecoGator” in order
to support consumers in their purchase decisions by providing up-to-date
information about the most energy efficient products on the market.
Smartphone optimized consumer web portals (including Euro-Topten
sites) will be used to raise awareness of the benefits of energy efficient
and sustainable products. For more information
http://www.myeconavigator.eu/
Project goals
› Roll out of ecoGator smartphone app
with a total number of downloads
of at least 80,000 times.
› 4 million households shall
be reached
› The project is expected to
yield savings of 155 GWh/year
till end of 2015.

4. 4
ecoGator
Consortium of 12 partners of 10 EU-countries

5. 5
ecoGator
The “ecoGator” App
… will guide consumers in two different modes: the “shopping/browse
mode” and the “day-to-day” mode
› Shopping mode: Supports consumers
at the point of sale in shops to identify the
most efficient products through providing
user-friendly, accessible guidance.
› Day-to-day mode: Increases customer
awareness of concerning benefits of
sustainable and energy-efficient use of products.

6. 6
ecoGator
Co-Creation process

7. 7
ecoGator
Research question
A main challenge in this project was to determine whether and how the
gamification part can influence users motivation. Bearing these facts in
mind, the central research question arises as follow:
• Can the underlying gamification strategy of the “ecoGator” app
motivate users to use this application regularly?

8. 8
ecoGator
Functional prototype – gamification concept
Activity Points
Scan an energy label or provide label data manually 400
Perform Challenges: you have to perform a specific activity 400
Play the quiz: 10 questions are taken randomly. Points are awarded depending on how much time has
passed until correct answer given. If you are fast in answering you get 50 points each. If you need
more time than 15 Seconds to answer, your points are lowered in the next 15 Seconds to zero. max. 500
Reviews: Review a tip how useful it is 100
Product Comparison: for each product compared to another of the same category 100
Earn points for each of the following social media activities:
- share your current level status, - „share“ and „Like“ the most interesting tips, - share started
challenges. - invite users to participate in prize contest 100
The more points you get, the greener ecoGator will get. This are the threshold limits for every level status .
Level Status Points
Level 1 score 10.000
Level 2 score 25.000
Level 3 score 50.000

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ecoGator
Example Screens: Categories

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ecoGator
Functional prototype – usability test of gamification concept
Usability test of day to day mode (gamification elements) of first iOS version
via evolaris mobile Living Lab (www.livinglab.evolaris.net)
The evolaris mobile Living Lab conducted usability tests with 15 respondents
based on an iOS version prototype during April and Mai 2014.
15 Austrian respondents had to perform some pre-defined tasks. Using a
guideline based on the defined research question and the app prototype,
the respondents were guided through the interview.

11. 11
egoGator
Functional prototype – usability test of gamification concept

12. 12
ecoGator
Functional prototype – usability test of gamification concept
› 13 persons liked the choice of the integrated game elements.
› Different priorities regarding the app functions and the
gamification aspect.
› Further incentives necessary for those who do not play games
on the smartphones.
› Not all target groups accepted each possibility to collect points
but there remain some motivational mechanics for everyone.

13. 13
ecoGator
Conclusion
› The app is very well suited as a shopping assistant.
› A tool that helps consumers to choose an energy efficient
product.
› “ecoGator” seems to be successfully designed for those who are
already sensitive to energy saving.
› Gamification could probably turn the “ecoGator” app into a
powerful tool.

14. 14
ecoGator
Final evaluation by consumer organisations
Planned roll out for iOS and Android: 01. October 2014

15. 15
ecoGator

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ecoGator
This project has received funding from the EU