Media Sandbox 2010, the groundbreaking development scheme managed by iShed and funded by the Creative Industries iNet and Bristol City Council, has today announced this year’s seven successful commissions.

For 2010, Media Sandbox has been divided into two strands: B-Open and Pervasive Experiences.

B-Open gives digital developers free access to key data about life in Bristol, which Bristol City Council has published openly for the very first time. The strand will comprise three new digital developments, helping Bristol lead the way in becoming a smart, green, digital city. These mobile and online applications will help people with limited mobility find accessible routes through the city, create interest in local food and environmental impact, and increase understanding of how Council funds are spent.

1. Overlay Media will develop a digital map to help people with restricted mobility, such as wheelchair users, older people and people with pushchairs, find the best and easiest route between two places. The route will take into account information on hills, cobbled streets and the location of drop-kerbs for example.

2. Mobile Pie will create Blossom Bristol, a phone based game that will encourage people to plant virtual crops in any part of Bristol and watch as they flourish or fail depending on environmental factors such as the city's air quality, water quality, weather and temperature. The player's real-life activities will also feed into their success in the game with credits and rewards being offered when players choose to shop locally or at a Farmer's Market.

3. Later this year, all councils will be required to publish detailed figures on all items of expenditure over £500. Delib will develop a website that will set out this complex financial information in easy to understand and accessible ways.

Stephen Hilton, Leader of Bristol City Council's Connecting Bristol Programme and sponsor of the B-Open projects, said;

"Nearly everyone now has a mobile phone and as phones get smarter they provide a really exciting way to deliver information and services in innovative ways that are better for citizens and cost effective for the Council. It is also important that we find fun ways to use mobile phones and web technology to get many more people involved in serious issues such as local food and climate change."

Council Leader, Barbara Janke, said;

“Bristol City Council has been a pioneer and advocate for the positive impacts of digital technology on informing and engaging with our residents. We want to share the highly useful information that we gather in every possible way to help local people and small businesses. New technologies are opening up with new opportunities for businesses and social entrepreneurs to create billions of pounds of economic value by building innovative applications and services that make use of government data."

Image Credit: From the project HappyTowns, Ping © BDH & Plot London

Under the Pervasive Experiences strand, Media Sandbox 2010 will also support the development of four inspiring ideas exploring senses and sensors to create new models of interaction with digital technologies and enhance our experiences, whether with music, games or within a retail environment.

4. The power of the voice is often overlooked in its ability to create unique, engaging and accessible interactive experiences. Mutant Labs, a brilliant young company based in Plymouth will develop a system in which our voices or other sounds could be used as a control mechanism in computer games.

5. Moksha , an exciting new Bristol based company will create experiences made only from scent. The project will research how we can use smell to evoke emotion and communicate ideas, and look at ways in which this could be used commercially.

6. Remode are fascinated by new types of gaming console currently in development by large companies such as Nintendo, which enable the input of sensory data such as our heart rates or body temperatures. Remode will create a prototype game in which this type of sensory data could help us succeed or fail within the game and enhance our experience of play.

7. nu desine will create a new electronic musical instrument. This programmable device will allow players to trigger sounds through the use of sensors and smart materials and offer a new type of performance experience.

Clare Reddington, Director of iShed said;

“Media Sandbox is a development programme that provides a space for research, supporting brilliant people to make time and take risks. The scheme networks creative talent from the South West with leading technology companies and content commissioners enabling companies to create new ideas and deliver new products to the market. Watershed is very excited by the range of innovation and talent we will be working with under the 2010 Sandbox scheme.”

Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive of South West Screen, said;

“South West Screen is pleased to continue our association with the progressive Media Sandbox scheme, this year through the Creative Industries iNet programme. These are seven varied and fascinating projects, which really push the boundaries of experimentation. Together they represent a shining example of the ambition of our creative industries here in the South West.”

Media Sandbox is originated and produced by iShed, part of Watershed, a cross art form organisation based in Bristol, UK.

Media Sandbox 2010 is a Creative Industries iNet project. The Creative Industries iNet is led by South West Screen - part of Solutions for Business and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and South West RDA. The scheme is delivered in association with Bristol City Council and Connecting Bristol's B-Open initiative.

There will be several events to showcase work on these projects over the next few months, with a major showcase event taking place in February 2011.