X-River
VR Training for River Monitoring
In cities, we are connected to oceans through the streams in our neighbourhoods. However, streams are forgotten, pollution is common and measuring water quality is effortful. Riverfly monitoring is a citizen science technique through which volunteers collect data, which is leveraged to monitor pollution, track changes in water quality over time and inform improvement efforts.
X-River is an immersive experience to allow diverse groups to explore the biodiversity in urban water bodies and train as riverfly monitors. It is used by conservation organisations to train volunteers, and by schools to create interest among students about nearby streams, thereby preparing the next generation of riverfly monitors. It can serve as an experiential exhibit in museums and a means to drive awareness in boroughs through local events. X-River is a step towards encouraging citizens to become stewards of the water bodies around them, thus connecting them to the oceans.
Research
Our team was working in the borough of Harrow. Our partners were Zoological Society London, Harrow Nature Conservation Forum, Action for Silk Stream, Andrew Singer from Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, and Riverfly monitoring volunteers. Harrow is a borough located in Northwest London, characterised by a mix of residential, commercial, and green spaces. Although it is not along the Thames, it includes catchments of 3 rivers - Pinn, Crane and Brent.
Through research, we identified the following problems: flooding, antibiotic pollution due to the presence of sewage and lost streams.
Harrow has multiple streams which for the most part are polluted, get lost behind back gardens or culverts.
Rewilding and restoring the streams would:
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Prevent flooding downstream
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Enrich the biodiversity
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Improve experience and connection of communities with the streams
There have been previous successful efforts to rewild streams in Harrow:
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Renaturalisation of Kenton Brook (Queensbury Park)
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Reconnecting residents with Stanmore Marsh,
rerouting of Edgware Brook
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Enhancing River Pinn
Stakeholder Map
Field investigation & learning
Through primary research, we learnt that the problems were inter-related. With growing urban habitation and development, the streams have been culverted and lost in many parts. The plumbing of the borough was not developed for the current size of population. In case of flooding, rain and sewage water mix and flow into the streams. Several households in Harrow have misconnected pipes which also leads to sewage entering the streams. This drives antibiotic pollution.
As we referred back to our learnings from the experts, we recognised an opportunity. Measuring water quality is an effortful task and one of the low cost and efficient ways used in Harrow and UK is riverfly monitoring. We were introduced to riverfly monitoring by volunteers we met who had been trained to identify the species of invertebrates as a means to track water quality and report instances of pollution. Riverfly monitoring allows collection of data over a long period of time and connects residents to the water bodies near them. Thus, we looked at how we could enhance the activity of Riverfly Monitoring for it to reach more people and connect people to the waterbodies around them. We decided to build an XR training to make it more accessible. We also used the business model canvas as a tool to explore how we could maximize the value creation and reach multiple stakeholders. This led us to develop X-River. X-River is a VR experience which is used to train potential citizen scientists to regularly track water quality of streams in their neighbourhood. It is also used to introduce students and residents to life in the water bodies around them.
Design Process
Training Tasks
River-fly identification
Classifying River-fly
Incorrect Status
River-fly Information Learning
Correct Status
A VR Journey into River Monitoring
User Testing
Achievements
Exhibition at Rotal college of Art
Achievements
Working on X-River was a rewarding journey. What started as a simple idea—using AI and XR technology to train people in river monitoring—grew into something much more meaningful. Our team, with support from the Zoological Society London and local volunteers, transformed this concept into a real tool for environmental impact.
The process wasn’t always smooth. We faced technical challenges and needed to adapt our approach more than once. But seeing our prototype in action, guiding users through riverfly monitoring in a virtual world, made every hurdle worthwhile. It was amazing to watch people learn and engage, knowing that this training could lead to real-world contributions to water quality monitoring.
What I love most is that X-River isn’t just about showcasing technology—it’s about empowering communities to play an active role in conservation. It’s a small step, but it shows how AI and XR can be powerful tools for positive change. And I truly believe this is just the beginning.
