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Prisoner's Dilemma

Through interesting interactive nature, visually demonstrate the concept of prisoner's dilemma and understand game…

Prisoner's Dilemma — Basic Science exhibit for science museums
Studio rendering
CategoryBasic Science
InteractionInteractive installation
Standard sizeCustom size
SupplySingle unit or batch · OEM to your drawing
Lead timeStandard 4–8 weeks after deposit (confirmed per contract)
Warranty1 year, structure and control
DocumentsSpecification sheet · control diagram · spare-part list

A standard catalogue model: the dimensions, control package and finish are fixed, which is what keeps the price and the lead time predictable. Size, colour and interface language can be adapted without a new design cycle.

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01 / Overview

Through interesting interactive nature, visually demonstrate the concept of prisoner's dilemma and understand game theory. The exhibit consists of two person dueling jets, with selection buttons for "Super Jet" and "Gentle Jet" on the operating platform. The exhibit is a two person interactive exhibit, where visitors can conduct experiments on the prisoner's dilemma problem through two buttons: "Super Jet" and "Gentle Jet". Each visitor must choose a result, whether to have the other person's face sprayed vigorously or gently. If both players choose the Super Jet, then both will be heavily sprayed. In the repeated prisoner's dilemma, the game is repeatedly played. Therefore, each participant has the opportunity to 'punish' another participant for their uncooperative behavior in the previous round. At this point, cooperation may emerge as a balanced outcome. The motive for deception may be overcome by the threat of punishment, which may lead to a better, cooperative outcome. Target group: teenagers aged 6-15.

02 / How visitors use it

Interaction type: Interactive installation. The unit is designed for unsupervised public use: controls are recessed or shielded, moving parts are enclosed, and the interface is operable by a child of about six with no instruction. Where a screen is used, the language can be switched without changing the hardware, and the content can be replaced on site.

03 / The science behind it

1. The origin of the prisoner's dilemma: The story of the prisoner's dilemma tells of two suspects who were caught by the police after committing a crime and held in different rooms for interrogation. The police know that the two are guilty, but lack sufficient evidence. The police told everyone: if both of them deny, they will each be sentenced to one year in prison; If both of them confess, each will be sentenced to eight years; If one person confesses and the other denies, the one who confesses will be released, and the one who denies will be sentenced to ten years. So, every prisoner is faced with two choices: confess or deny. However, regardless of what the accomplices choose, the optimal choice for each prisoner is to confess: if the accomplices deny and confess, they will be released, and if they deny, they will be sentenced to one year. Confession is better than not confessing at all; If the accomplice confesses and the person confesses, they will be sentenced to eight years. Compared to ten years for denial, confessing is still better than denying. As a result, both suspects chose to confess and were sentenced to eight years in prison each. If both of them deny, they will each be sentenced to one year in prison.

04 / Built for a public floor

Every unit leaves the factory after a running test: mechanisms cycled, electronics burned in, edges dressed, fixings torqued and marked. Wear parts — bearings, sliders, lamps, belts, touch panels — are modular and listed on the spare-part sheet, so a venue technician can replace them without returning the exhibit. Crating is plywood with foam blocking; the loading plan and packing list travel with the shipment.

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