Design innovation
Investigator
Jane McCann, University of Wales, Newport
Background
At the time of the project, serious questions were being raised as to how society will care for older generations. It seemed likely that older people would be encouraged to live independently, relying upon new technological innovations to support their autonomy.
Aims and objectives
Clothing for older people can benefit from the 'new revolution' in textile and clothing manufacture and the embedding of micro-electronics. The current markets for clothing and electronics are separate and with quite different cultures and terminology.
Medical devices are developed with little aesthetic appeal for 'ill people'. Technological advances are not readily accepted by older people due to badly designed interfaces, which often have small controls or displays that are difficult to read.
Emerging electronic and textile related technologies are confusing to traditional clothing and textile development teams, while electronics and medical experts are not normally conversant with textile and clothing technology.
Appropriate technologies need to be selected and merged from the choice of fibre and fabric assemblies through to near market prototypes.
Policy implications
The aim of the network was to define a methodology for the application of emerging smart clothes and wearable technologies, which enable older people to enjoy better quality lives.
The network fosters new multidisciplinary partnerships, embracing expertise from
independent experts
university research groups
textile and garment developers
wearable computing
telecommunications
product design
interaction design
policy makers
health care professionals
user groups
The network was committed to facilitating end-user involvement and encouraging older users of health and social care services to work directly within the network.
We also gained views, opinions and expertise from wider 'older people' advisory groups.