Ash

What is Ash?

ASH is an AI pocket field guide designed to help kids discover and learn about the biodiversity in their own backyards. Children use a simple point-and-click digital camera to photograph whatever life-forms they find, and the AI converts those photos into informative animal cards. The project was motivated by concern over global biodiversity loss: ASH aims to teach children why protecting nature matters and to make nature discovery feel like an adventure. It works a bit like a modern-day Pokedex.

Who created Ash?

ASH was created by FINH, which launched the device with the goal of educating children about why protecting biodiversity matters. The hardware was built with open technologies, including SLS 3D printers and a Google Coral board that handles species recognition. Species identification runs on the iNaturalist dataset.

What is Ash used for?

• Helping children connect with and learn about the biodiversity around them
• Encouraging active, hands-on, discovery-led nature play
• Turning children’s photos into fact-filled animal cards, each with a unique interface
• Collecting animal cards from many different life-forms
• Rewarding players with collectible badges for taking discovery seriously
• Teaching children to notice, love, and protect the creatures they encounter
• Educating a new generation of ecology guardians
• Letting parents control and supervise the data their children collect through the device