A Design Science Approach to Interactive Greenhouse Climate Control Using Lego Mindstorms for Sensor-Intensive Prototyping

Part 2: Interactions, Models and ApproachesInternational audienceIn this paper, we describe a design science framework for the use of interactive, sensor-intensive prototypes to develop interactive greenhouse climate management systems. We emphasize the ways in which design science, and in particular what we call micro information systems, may enhance the human-computer interaction (HCI) aspects of emission control performance through better interactive control interfaces and the utilization of sensor network technology. By applying guidelines suggested in design science to the case studied, we identify a number of interactive prototypes that successively address core issues in this particular setting. Starting from a simple human-computer interaction with a one-sensor-one-output prototype made in Lego Mindstorms NXT, we end up with a custom made sensor that addresses interaction with our particular user profile: the gardener. Thus, we provide a reference platform for combining micro information systems and human-computer interaction in design science research into environmental sustainability research