The target audience is the elderly（45-75+ years old）, so their health issues are important. This analysis has helped me design a user interface that takes into account the sensory, cognitive, and physical conditions of elderly individuals
It is a natural biological process for various functions of the human body to gradually decline as we age.
- Cardiovascular System: With ageing, the heart’s ability to pump blood may diminish, and blood vessels may become less elastic. Consequently, the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases increases.
- Neurological System: Aging can slow the conduction speed of the nervous system, affecting cognitive functions and reaction time.
- Sensory Systems: Vision and hearing typically decline with age. Aging may also affect the senses of taste, smell, and touch.
- Respiratory System: The elasticity of the lungs decreases with age, leading to a decline in lung function, which can affect breathing ability.
- Cognitive Function: With age, memory, the ability to learn new things, and the ability to perform complex tasks may diminish.
My ideas — Museum APP design with AR systems / watch product design
Smartphone App with AR Features
- AR Artifact Interpretation: Utilize AR technology to display detailed information and historical context of artefacts, including 3D reconstructions of historical scenes.
- Font Enlargement and Easy-to-Read Guides: Offer a font enlargement feature and visual aids to ensure that even those with poor vision can easily read the information.
- Smart Route Planning: Provide detailed maps of the museum, allowing older adults to select their areas of interest for which the app will automatically plan the optimal visiting route.
- Location Tracking and Emergency Response: Use the phone’s GPS feature to ensure that, in case of an emergency, museum medical staff can quickly locate the individual.
- Crowd Information in Exhibition Areas: Display real-time crowd levels in different exhibition areas (e.g., via a visual bar chart) to help visitors choose less crowded routes.
- Convenient Facility Locator: Quickly locate amenities like restrooms and rest areas.
Smartwatch:
- Health Monitoring: Continuously monitor vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure, providing timely warnings of potential health issues.
- SOS Signal: Include an easy-to-use emergency button for immediate assistance in case of trouble.
Connection between Watch and Smartphone
The watch is connected to a smartphone application, allowing the watch to function as an input device, similar to the controller functionality in Google VR.
Simple Navigation Display: Show simple navigation instructions (e.g., arrows indicating direction and distance) on the watch face, with large and clear symbols for easy recognition by older adults.
Air Drawing Feature: Users can draw lines or shapes in the air by waving the watch. This gesture drawing feature is particularly suited for demonstrating and simulating the shapes or contours of artifacts.
Smart Recommendation System: The application can analyze shapes drawn by the user through the watch. Based on the drawn shapes, the smart recommendation system searches and suggests artifacts from the museum collection that have similar shapes.
Save and Share Feature: Users can save their drawings and related artifact recommendations on the smartphone app. This not only enhances the interactivity of the visit but also makes it convenient for users to review and share their experience later.
3D Display Control: Through the watch, users can control the 3D display of artifacts in the smartphone application. For example, users can rotate, zoom in/out, or move the 3D model with gestures, allowing them to view the artifact from different angles.
My idea was to design products that could help enhance the museum visit experience for older people, as well as ensure their wellbeing
The proposed AR-enabled smartphone app and smartwatch system can be tailored to address the specific age-related challenges in the cardiovascular, neurological, sensory, respiratory systems, and cognitive functions:
Cardiovascular System:
- Health Monitoring: The smartwatch can continuously monitor heart rate and blood pressure, alerting the user to potential cardiovascular issues. This real-time monitoring can help in early detection and response to conditions like hypertension.
- Stress Reduction: The AR app can provide a relaxed, stress-free visiting experience, reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system.
Neurological System:
- Cognitive Engagement: The AR app can offer engaging, interactive learning experiences, stimulating the brain and potentially aiding in maintaining neurological health.
- User-friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, reducing cognitive load and making the technology accessible even for those with slower reaction times.
Sensory Systems:
- Visual and Auditory Assistance: The AR app can enhance visuals, enlarge text, and provide clear audio guides, catering to those with declining vision and hearing.
- Sensory Engagement: Through interactive and immersive AR experiences, the app can stimulate senses like sight and hearing, possibly aiding in maintaining their function.
Respiratory System:
- Environmental Alerts: The smartwatch can monitor environmental factors like air quality, advising users to avoid areas that might be difficult for those with compromised lung function.
Cognitive Function:
- Memory and Learning Aids: The AR app can offer virtual tours and storytelling to assist with memory and understanding. By presenting information in an engaging and interactive manner, it can aid in learning and memory retention.
- Simplified Tasks: The user interface of both the app and watch is simplified, minimizing the need for complex interactions and making it easier for those with diminished cognitive abilities to navigate and use.