Diseño de Mobiliario Urbano Inteligente con Integración IoT para el Cantón Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador

Abstract

This project analyzes the problem of informational street furniture in the Baños de Agua Santa canton. The current infrastructure presents certain deficiencies in the areas of local cultural identity and digital integration, which generates disorientation for tourists and a poor tourism experience. Taking these needs into account, the development of an informational totem with IoT integration was proposed, with the objective of improving functionality, accessibility, and the user experience within the canton's public spaces. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, using a descriptive, nonexperimental design. This involved the application of on-site observation sheets and surveys of users of this public space. Furthermore, the design process was organized using the UserCentered Design (UCD) methodology and the implementation of the Delft Guide, thus focusing the study from contextual research to the final proposal. The evaluation of proposals was carried out using the Harris Matrix with the participation of specialists in the field of Industrial Design. The project resulted in an informational totem called Ignis, whose form is based on a morphological analysis of the different tourist attractions of the Baños canton: the Pailón del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron), the Casa del Árbol (Tree House), the church, and the Cascada de la Virgen (Virgin's Waterfall). It also incorporates characteristic local materials such as volcanic stone and bamboo, joined together with metal. Its IoT technological feature is achieved through the application of augmented reality via an app and an interactive screen, thus offering an attractive solution for smart tourism.