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Mobile bird-watching vehicle
Jiangnan University
Yihui Luan
The “birder” mobile bird-watching vehicle integrates sustainable and inclusive design, safeguarding wetland ecological sustainability while enabling equal, comfortable bird-watching for diverse groups. It opens up more possibilities for sustainable ecotourism and public participation in wetland protection research. Bird-watching, being a typical form of citizen science, makes this participation even more meaningful.
In promoting sustainable behavior, the vehicle guides visitors to practice environmental protection. Its unique wheel-leg structure facilitates smooth movement on natural roads, reducing trampling on wetland vegetation and human interference with the ecosystem. Moreover, visitors uploading bird-watching data to the platform for research lets them participate in wetland protection efforts, enhancing their environmental awareness and responsibility, thus forming a “protection-experience-reprotection” cycle.
For inclusive design, the vehicle addresses diverse needs. Natural wetland roads often inconvenience elderly and frail visitors, but the wheel-leg structure helps them move easily within designated areas. The cabin remains horizontal, providing a stable, comfortable observation environment.
Operational designs also reflect inclusivity: simple control handles for easy use by all; smart tracking telescopes transmit HD images to in-cabin screens, avoiding prolonged holding; AI recognition simplifies recording, enabling even beginners to enjoy bird-watching.
