Keymoment: initiating behavior change through friendly friction

Abstract

To initiate new behavior is challenging, but to maintain this new behavior can be even more so. In this paper, we present Keymoment, a key holder designed to increase physical activity by raising the frequency of taking the bike instead of the car. To accomplish this, it creates friction, but in a meaningful and light way. Keymoment is an example of what we call pleasurable troublemakers -- a genre of interactive things, designed to help people changing themselves. We discuss variations of the Keymoment as well as the general principles, pleasurable troublemakers are based on.