Cara

Modular robotic furniture for older adults.

Created
Trend to Product Studio | Spring 2023 | 15 weeks
skills
3D Modeling, CAM, CNC Operation, Woodworking
project description
This studio was run in collaboration with designers from P&G. With their guidance and critiques, we conducted trend research to create a product solution that will be relevant five to ten years in the future.

Aging is a very personal journey, and every older adult has unique needs that present themselves at unique times.

‍How might we leverage innovative technology to maximize independence and vitality in older adults?

01 | Research

Group Opportunity Area Research

Teams of five students were assigned one of four broad themes, and tasked with conducting research as a group to compile a variety of potential opportunity areas that they would then proceed with on their own. My team focused on the theme of independence.

Trend Analysis

Because the final project is intended to fulfill a need that will be present in 5 - 10 years, I identified relevant trends to the retirement care industry.
growing worker shortage
Nursing and assisted living facilities are severely understaffed, resulting in a stressful environment with a high turnover rate for employees and sub-optimal care for residents.
move toward aging in place
The retirement care industry is shifting away from primarily offering nursing and assisted living options, with an increase in at-home care options and independent senior apartments in retirement communities.
incoming baby boomer wave
A large segment of the population is entering into the 70 - 80 year old age range and will require an increased amount of care in the coming years.
Tech savvy older adults
The next generation of older adults have adapted to the digital age and will expect higher tech solutions to the challenges presented by aging.

We Believe Statement

Synthesized group research and individual trend analysis into one guiding project statement in a format encouraged by our connects at P&G.
We believe that older adults who are beginning to require an increased amount of care
need help with maximizing the amount of time they can continue to thrive in the lowest care setting possible
because of industry trends towards aging in place, growing workforce shortages in assisted living facilities, and a cultural goal of compressed morbidity.

Design Requirements

Addresses reasons for moving to increased care settings
Adaptable to individuals' unique aging journey
Maintains relevance to the consumer as they age
Reduces strain and worry for caretakers

02 | Concepting

After zeroing in on one opportunity space, I created three separate product concepts to address the design requirements set at the end of the research phase.

CONCEPT 1 | ASSISTIVE FURNITURE

- Mobile furniture that can navigate and move about an older adult's living space.
- Holds every day items that older adults may want accessible but might not always keep at arm's reach.
- Dispenses medication and monitors adherence to medication schedule.
- Can be called to an older adult's current position with vocal commands, or set to "follow" to accompany them as they move.

CONCEPT 2 | SMART WALKER

- Light and sound cues to encourage safe rollator technique.
- Electric breaking for reliable stability that doesn't require grip strength.
- Wheel auto-break if accelerating at too fast a speed to prevent rollator from "getting away" from an older adult.
- Line of visually consistent accessories to adapt rollator to user's personalized needs.
- Vertical orientation sensor during use for fall detection.

CONCEPT 3 | PROACTIVE SMART ASSISTANT

- Manages medication schedule and monitors adherence.
- Dispenses water and monitors hydration.
- Encourages healthy behaviors such as going for walks, planning meals and shopping, drinking water, etc.
- Can be used for video calling loved ones, tele-health appointments, or caretakers.
- Could be used for having conversations around life stories for "life digitization" purposes.
- Can integrate with existing personal assistant and specialized care platforms.

03 | Validation

Validation Interviews

Brief interviews (approx. 30 minutes) to get feedback on the three distinct concepts presented above.
paula
Organizer of resident activities in a nursing home.
Jackie
Occupational therapist with experience working with older adults.
elyse
Physical therapist with experience working with older adults.
teri
Older adult, 91.
craig
Design educator, works with LiveWell Collaborative and Council on Aging.

Concept Feedback

Assistive furniture
Must be mobile enough to get around an apartment / home without requiring lots of reorganization of an older adult's living space.
‍
Many falls happen as a result of compensating behaviors related to carrying items while using a walker or cane, this could be a good solution.

Ensure any liquids or foods being carried are secure and will not spill, which would create a fall risk.
Smart walker
Would require a session(s) with a physical therapist to set up "posture sensing" accurately.

Older adults with impaired posture (scoliosis, kyphosis, etc.) may be discouraged from reaching for their walker.

Laser guides would require the user to look at their feet, which is bad for the neck and may impair balance.
Proactive Smart Assistant
Could feel too drastic a solution to someone earlier on in their aging journey.

Concern over how much this concept would cost.

Most often chosen as the concept that the interviewee would be most likely to choose for themselves or a loved one

Size concern again, needs to be able to navigate a space without requiring reorganization.

Final Concept Development

Mobile robotic furniture that adapts to an individual's needs with modules that can be bought and replaced as they age.
Similar to Concept 1 at point of purchase. This reduces up front cost and makes the product seem less drastic a solution for an older adult with fewer needs.
Modules can be added to increase the device's capabilities as new needs arise, or as their care systems change. This ensures the device maintains relevancy and "grows" with the consumer.

04 | Refinement

Inspiration Board

Sketch Refinement

1:1 Model

05 | Finals

Final concept proposal

Modular robotic furniture that will assist older adults in their living spaces as their needs develop and change throughout their aging journey.

Modules

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(513) 827-1012 | closecj@mail.uc.edu
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