A Device that empower elderly well-being with modern tech, while keeping families connected and informed.
Hardware Product
Market Analysis
This product leverages current technology to enhance elderly security and well-being, while providing families with essential daily insights for peace of mind and support.
HIGHTLIGHTS
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 “seamless”. To achieve this goal, the following features have been designed and built in the band.
Hear Rate Sensor
As one of the most widely used sensors on wearables, heart sensor is critical for such a device that designed for old users. Heart rate sensor can not only monitor real-time heart rate, but also provide key insights to health condition and predict potential diseases.
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.
Feature 1
On each side of the band, 7x6 one-millimeter square magnets were placed inside the bracelet. This layout eliminates the holes found in traditional watch bands, which can confuse elderly users, while maintaining flexibility for improved comfort.
Feature 2
To enhance ease of use, the band has been designed to be fully symmetrical, allowing users to wear it in any direction. It is equipped with an accelerometer sensor that detects when the user raises their wrist.
Feature 3
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.
Feature 4
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.
A mobile app designed not for old users, but for their family members
Muti-device support
In many families, multiple siblings share elderly care responsibilities. Our product allows connection to multiple phones, ensuring that accident notifications are sent to all relevant individuals.
Family-first Information collection
Unlike other smart watches, our product connects directly to family phones, ensuring prompt sharing of health data. This allows elderly individuals without smartphones to use the band, while families can monitor their health remotely.
Navigate to the current location of old people
Our product enables families to remotely track the location of elderly individuals, preventing them from getting lost during walks. This feature is available anytime, anywhere.
Medical aid for seniors, initiated by their families.
when emergencies happens, immediate help is crucial. Our product's location feature lets families request emergency care remotely, ensuring swift action even from a distance.
A multi-touch operation method for elderly users with Parkinson's, making the device simple yet versatile enough to meet their needs.
Feature 1
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.
Feature 2
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.
The elderly population above 65 years old, a group that could greatly benefit from such devices, remains largely untapped in this market.
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.
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.
Emphasizes multi-functionality. Offers a wide range of functions and apps. Includes features such as notifications, messaging, calls, fitness tracking, and more.
Balances longer battery life with a more limited range of functions. Runs on a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS). Offers core functions such as basic health tracking, notifications, and limited app support.
Focuses on fundamental sports and health tracking capabilities. Provides extended battery life. Typically includes features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and basic notifications.
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
we selected two seniors with smartwatches and one middle-aged caregiver to understand the challenges elderly users face with wearables and the difficulties caregivers encounter.
I found that older users usually experience problems in these areas when using smart wearables:
Elderly can usually not recognize the texts that appeared on smart devices such as phones or pads, let along with the texts on small watch which are usually 40mm wide.
Elderly people find systems with numerous functions difficult to use, leading to challenges in learning and accessing emergency help.
Modern wearables, with their complex strap structures, are often difficult for older people to use.
Smart wearable’s short battery life and frequent charging needs can be challenging for the elderly to manage.
Family Member Interview Summary
When family members are trying to take care of the old people, they usually meet following challenges:
For most of families, the easiest way to ensure older people’s safety is adding a camera. However, most of old people refuse this method because this violated their personal space.
When accident happens to old people like falling down, there is no way to notify their families.
Locating elderly individuals can be challenging as they might go for walks and become lost.
Monitoring the health of elderly people from a distance poses significant difficulties for caregivers.
PART 3
DEVELOPMENT
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.
After evaluating seven materials, I chose silicone and nylon for their balance of benefits. Silicone ensures durability and a sleek exterior, while nylon reduces allergy risks and absorbs sweat for added comfort. This combination offers functionality, comfort, and style, perfect for the smart band.
