GEDS is granted as the design lead of MATUROLIFE project, a nanotechnology textile project that aims to create prototypes for assistive technology products enhanced with smart textiles that uses design as a strategic tool to make elderly people’s life more independent, comfortable and enjoyable. MATUROLIFE project, which is funded by European Union H2020 for Research& Innovation, has 20 partners from 9 EU countries with expertise in design, technology and ethics domains. The project will take place in 9 EU countries the next 3 years.
Additionally, MATUROLIFE project is the first human-centered innovation project funded by the European Union that brings design and technology firms together. This project will add another dimension to textiles that involve nanotechnology, which will be used to design desirable smart wearable products for the elderly. An example of this could be a bracelet that sends a signal to the carer when a falling occurs; or a shirt that monitors the body temperature.
The main reason for this project to exist is the rapidly increasing aging population, and the issues it creates in the urban areas. For example, in 28 European countries, the elderly population makes up 19.12% of the total population. As of 2018, the global elderly population is estimated at 600 million; however, this number is predicted to be around 2 billion by 2050.
The purpose of this innovative project is to create opportunities for a safer, more comfortable, and independent life for the aging but integral part of the population. By bringing independence to these people, the project aims to eliminate the abandonment issue. Consequently, their caring expensive will decrease dramatically.
There have been many AT products in the market, however, previous products were not aesthetically pleasing, and avoided tapping into expectations, needs, and desires of the people from different cultures. Maturolife design partner companies wanted to take this opportunity to design AT for older adults that are not only functional, lighter and more comfortable but also designed from their own point of view toward life, culture, and most importantly, it was designed through a direct connection to who they are as human beings with all their joys, worries, anxieties, fears and hopes. For this purpose, there is a great emphasis on design research in the project to understand cultural codes and the elderly’s life journeys better.
Our role as GEDS in this project is that we are leading design management, design, and design research phases. Along with project partners, GEDS leads to define the research methodology and finding the needs and desires of elder people through interviews, workshops, and field observations in 9 EU countries.
