AURORA has been steadfast in its commitment to engage with citizens in the development and implementation of the AURORA Energy Tracker mobile application. Utilising a variety of methods including usability tests, co-creation events, and surveys, the project has actively sought user input to ensure the app’s effectiveness and align it with users’ actual needs and expectations. With this approach, AURORA has demonstrated a strong commitment to user-centred design and co-creation from the onset, setting a solid foundation for its success as a citizen science project.
AURORA's Reach and Engagement
Since its launch in September 2023, the AURORA mobile app has seen promising traction. With 351 accounts created across Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and other European countries, and 7,362 individual consumptions tracked by users, the app has already made significant strides towards its mission of empowering citizens to track their energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. Moreover, the project is closely monitoring the engagement levels of users, with statistics indicating active usage and interaction with the app’s features.
Interactive Dashboard for Community Insight
AURORA recognises the importance of fostering a sense of community among its users and has undertaken innovative measures to facilitate this. An interactive dashboard, currently in internal beta testing and set for a public launch in spring 2024, will enable users to explore aggregate data from the app across demo sites. This dashboard, built using JavaScript with the React Framework “Next.js,” will offer an easy-to-use web interface and allow users to delve into the data collected through the app, fostering a deeper understanding of their collective impact.
Next Steps: Enhanced Engagement and Automation
Moving forward, AURORA is focused on enhancing community engagement and increasing the effectiveness of its behavioural change efforts through the app. The project is currently developing an automated recommendation system, with plans to introduce gamification activities in the future.
Conclusion
As AURORA continues to evolve and grow, the project remains dedicated to its core mission of engaging citizens and empowering them to make a positive impact on the environment. With an innovative approach to app development and a commitment to open-source principles, AURORA aims to be a community-driven initiative fostering real change.
