A Device Specially Designed for Old Users
TIMELINE
Fall 2021
6 Weeks
Revised in 2023
YEAR
2021
FOCUSING AREAS
Market Research
User Research
Product Design
Special interaction
TOOLS
Sketch
Photoshop
Solidworks
V-ray
Overview
This product is designed with a dual focus: utilizing current technologies prevalent in the consumer market to bolster the security and well-being of the elderly, and simultaneously providing their families with vital information regarding their daily lives. It aims not only to ensure the safety and peace of mind of older adults but also to equip them with the basic functionalities necessary for their everyday needs. By integrating these elements, the product seeks to offer a comprehensive solution that supports the elderly population while keeping their families informed and engaged.
OBSERVATION
As technology rapidly evolves, tech companies are diversifying into wearables, with giants like Apple and Xiaomi targeting young adults and others like Xiaotiancai focusing on children. However, there's a notable oversight in this trend: the elderly population above 65 years old, a group that could greatly benefit from such devices, remains largely untapped in this market.
Quantitive Research
User Group analysis
Current aging(60 years old or older) rate & projection of US, Japan, and China
Global aging cannot be effectively controlled in the next 30 years. And the aging growth rate of developing countries will exceed developed countries.
Aging(60 years old or older) rate growth over the past decade
Over the past decade, the trend of global aging has escalated at different rates across highly developed nations, moderately developed countries, and those that are still developing. Projections indicate that this pattern of aging will persist unabated over the next half-century, with the percentage of the population aged 60 and above expected to climb steadily.
Conclusion
Upon examining the data and forecasts related to global aging trends, it becomes evident that the elderly population is set to expand in the coming years, presenting a substantial potential market.
Market analysis
Types of modern wearables
Modern wearable devices have been distinctly categorized into smartwatches, Basic-function (RTOS) watches, and wristbands. Smartwatches emphasize multi-functionality, RTOS watches balance longer battery life with a more limited range of functions and apps, while wristbands offer extended battery life with a focus on fundamental sports and health tracking capabilities.
Distribution of User Ages
The three of smart wearable devices caters to distinct age demographics. Collectively, the mainstream wearables available in the market today serve a user base ranging from 5 to 60 years old. However, the market for users above 60 years old remains largely untapped or negligible.
Conclusion
Our analysis of the current market, encompassing market share, types of devices, and their respective target age groups, reveals a significant gap in the segment market to the population aged 60 and above.
Qualitative Research
Interview Notes
In our qualitative research, we selected two participants over the age of 65 and have a smart watch(apple watch) and one middle-aged individual responsible for caring for an elderly mother. This demographic composition is strategically chosen to gain insight into the specific needs and challenges that the elderly face when interacting with current smart wearables, as well as to understand the difficulties encountered by middle-aged users in assisting their older family members.
I found that older users usually experience problems in these areas when using smart wearables:
Challenges for young or middle age users to take care of their parents:
Material Exploration
In my quest to find the ideal material for the smart band, I embarked on an extensive exploration of various potential materials. This journey involved researching, analyzing, and testing a wide array of substances to determine their suitability.
Final Material Choice
After a thorough examination of seven different materials, I have decided on two that collectively embody nearly all the advantageous properties while significantly reducing any drawbacks. Silicone and nylon emerged as the optimal choices for the band's main materials.
For the band's exterior, silicone was selected due to its exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal. This material not only ensures longevity but also provides an attractive finish that complements the smart band's design.
On the interior side of the band, I opted for nylon. This material choice was strategic; nylon is known for its ability to lower the risk of skin allergies, a crucial consideration for something worn directly against the skin. Additionally, nylon's sweat-absorbing properties enhance comfort, especially during prolonged wear or physical activity. This combination of silicone and nylon offers a balance of functionality, comfort, and style, making it an ideal choice for the smart band.
Sketches
Final Design
Hear Rate Sensor
As one of the most widely used sensors on wearables, heart sensor can measure not only the heart rate, but also the electrocardiography.
Solar Panel
Although small solar panels may not serve as the primary power source, their role as an auxiliary power input can significantly extend battery life, which is particularly beneficial for elderly users.
LED Lattice Display
The LED lattice display enables large, easy-to-read content for elderly users, while simultaneously maintaining the versatility of the display's content and ensuring a prolonged battery life.
Unique features on design
At the beginning, the goal of this product is to make it to be remarkably easy to use. Therefore, the cores of this product are “Effortless” and “feelingless”. To achieve these goals, the following features have been designed and built in the band.
Wear with ease, Any Direction, Anytime
no specific wearing directions
With its built-in accelerometer, the band can effortlessly detect the user's wrist orientation when they raise their hands. To complement this feature, both the right and left sides have been meticulously designed to be entirely symmetrical, ensuring users can securely wear it without concern for its wearing orientation.
Magnetic attach
7x6 small magnets
On each side of the band, 7x6 small magnets, each with a one-millimeter square area, were placed inside the bracelet. This magnet layout not only eliminates the holes found in traditional watch bands, which often confuse elderly users, but also maintains the its flexibility, making it even easier and more comfortable to wear.
Extremely thin
3 millimenters
To make the band “feelingless”, the whole volume must be thin and light enough. Therefore, the average thickness of the band has been designed to be just 3 millimeters.
Extremely long battery life
achieved with solar energy
Due to its ultra-thin design, the smart band has limited space for a battery, presenting a challenge for battery life. To address this, I incorporated two solar panels on each side of the band. While solar power can't be the primary energy source, it significantly extends the battery life.
Large text
achieved with lattice single color display
I've integrated a large lattice single-color display into the band. This display is not only exceptionally easy for elderly individuals to read but also significantly reduces power consumption, taking the battery life to a whole new level.
Key features
Family-first Information collection
Unlike other smart watches or bands, our product pairs with the family's phone, ensuring that health information is promptly transmitted to the family. This feature enables elderly individuals without smartphones to use the band, while their families can remotely monitor their health condition.
Navigate to the current location of old people
Our product provides families with the ability to remotely access the location of elderly individuals to prevent them from getting lost while walking. This feature is accessible from anywhere and at any time.
Medical aid for seniors, initiated by their families.
In many situations, when accidents occur on elderly individuals, immediate assistance is crucial. Waiting for family members to arrive and then contact medical services can have serious consequences. With our product's location feature, families can request emergency care even when they are far away from the elderly individual in need of help.
Muti-device support
In many families, there are often multiple children or siblings responsible for the care of elderly individuals. Consequently, our product offers the capability to be connected to multiple phones, enabling notifications to be sent to multiple individuals in the event of an accident.
Interfaces on band
Special Interactions
Double Tap?
Triple tap？
Quadruple tap？
Too Complex!
Many elderly individuals are affected by Parkinson's disease, a common condition in this age group. To assist them, I've designed an innovative operation method for using touch screens. Additionally, it's important that the device is user-friendly for older adults, avoiding overly complex functions that are hard to remember. However, it should still be versatile enough to meet the majority of users' requirements.
Introducing Muti-Tap mechanism
Think less, Care less, Just tap.
Multi-tap is a mechanism specifically designed to aid users with Parkinson's disease. It works by recognizing two taps on the screen within one second and then disregards any further actions in that second. This feature can be tailored to include a variety of basic functions, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of most users.
Long press
Emergency call, always there.
In emergencies, people often struggle to think clearly. Thus, it's crucial that emergency call options are simple to access and remember.
Implementing a long-press action avoids the need for users to locate or tap specific icons, making it more straightforward.
Unlike multi-tap options, a long-press action is not customizable, ensuring consistency and ease of use in urgent situations.
Using scenarios
Next Step