Design brief

I. Things and activities that Chinese elderly people like

In terms of food:

Home-grown agricultural products: The elderly in rural areas are used to their own farming, and they have special feelings for their .iwc replica uk own food, vegetables, fruits and so on. On the one hand, these foods are the fruits of their hard work, and they will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. On the other hand,UK Replica offers a variety of 1:1 best Replica rolex GMT-Master II, high quality fake rolex GMT-Master-II. home-grown things are natural and pollution-free, and they are safe to eat, such as home-grown sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apples, etc., which are their favorite foods.

Daily necessities:
Comfortable clothing: The elderly prefer loose, soft, warm clothing. Rural winter is relatively cold, so thick cotton-padded clothes, cotton pants, down jackets and other warm clothes are necessary for their winter. And the rural elderly often need to do some simple farm work or housework, loose clothes to wear more convenient activities. In terms of material, they prefer cotton clothing because it absorbs sweat, breathes and is comfortable to wear.

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Practical farm tools:
Although they are old, many elderly people in rural areas are still restless and can plant vegetables, flowers or raise poultry. So small farm implements such as hoes, shovels and scythes, as well as watering POTS and vegetable baskets, were practical for them and things they liked. These farm tools can help them carry out their daily tasks, allowing them to find joy and value in their work.

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Working habit:
Even when they are old, many elderly farmers are reluctant to leave the field. They are used to doing hands-on work, such as planting vegetables, planting flowers, raising chickens and ducks, etc., which makes them feel useful and secure in their hearts. Working is also a way for them to keep healthy.

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Outdoor activities:
Farmer life is closely connected with nature, so the elderly farmers are very fond of outdoor activities, especially sunbathing, walking, walking around the fields and going to the market. In their free time, they would get together and chat to amuse themselves.

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Go to the theatre、Watch TV、Radio：
Traditional operas and television programs are the main forms of entertainment for many elderly farmers, especially local operas such as Peking Opera, Henan Opera and Huangmei Opera, as well as TV dramas that reflect rural life, attracting a large number of elderly viewers. While listening to the play, they reminisced about the past and were immersed in the old days. They can listen to news, opera, stories, weather forecasts and other programs on the radio to enrich their spiritual life.

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Play mahjong or cards：
In rural areas, elderly people gather together in their spare time to play chess, mahjong and cards. In leisure time, about three or five friends play cards together, not only to pass the time, but also to keep in touch with friends in the village, these activities let them keep their minds active.

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Be keen on traditional festivals：
Old farmers pay special attention to traditional festivals, such as the Spring Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. They love the atmosphere of reunion and are waiting for their children and grandchildren to come home for the holidays. Making dumplings, setting off firecrackers and having a reunion dinner together are the most anticipated moments of the year.

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Have strong spiritual beliefs：
They may follow cultural beliefs passed down through generations, or a deep reverence for nature and harmony. At home, they may put auspicious decorations to express their yearning for and pursuit of a better life and look forward to the safety and health of their families.

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Health and wellness：
Elderly farmers pay attention to health maintenance, especially through traditional methods such as dietary supplements and herbs. There are also some simple exercises, such as playing tai chi, doing radio gymnastics and so on.

Ⅱ.Found problems and existing products:

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The problems we found:

Restriction of movement, pain and stiffness due to changes in physical conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, muscle degeneration. These problems can affect everyday activities such as going to the bathroom, walking, climbing stairs, bending over, etc. They may find it difficult to walk long distances or take public transport.

Existing Products/Services:

Left is a knee massager and right is a walking aid

A problem with the massager:

1. Complex operation
   Older people are most afraid of having too many functions and buttons on the device, and they don’t want to understand the various modes. If the operating instructions of the equipment are too complicated, especially for farmers or elderly people who are not used to technology products, this is a big problem. They just want to press a button and enjoy the feature, they don’t want to think about it.
2. Uncomfortable use
   From the picture, this device looks like it is tied directly to the knee, but you see the posture of the grandpa sitting, maybe this device does not fit the shape of the knee completely, resulting in some discomfort to use. Too tight and too loose will affect the elderly long-term wear experience.
3. Technology relies too much on technology
   Although this device may use advanced technology, such as cooling, heating, vibration massage, etc., the problem is that the elderly actually have very simple needs for technology, and they are more concerned about whether it is easy to use, rather than how “high-tech”. An overly complicated sense of technology makes them resist.
4. Price issues
   This kind of technological equipment is usually not cheap. For most of the elderly farmers, they are not willing to spend a lot of money to buy a high-tech product that they are not familiar with. If they think it’s too expensive and not worth the money, no one will buy it, no matter how good it is.
5. Durability
   The elderly will pay great attention to the durability and quality of the equipment. If a device fails after several uses, or the material does not look durable, there is almost no market for this product among the elderly, especially in rural areas, and maintenance is not convenient.

If it can make the operation easier, the experience more comfortable, and the price more reasonable, it should attract more people to use it.

The problem with the walker:

1. Not stable enough
   Look at the walker in this picture. Although the structure is simple, its design may not be stable enough when used in rural areas, especially when the road is not normal, it is difficult for the elderly to use it well. It looks light, but light often means it can tip over easily on uneven ground and lacks enough grip.
2. Complex operation
   Although the operation of the walker itself is not difficult, many auxiliary devices with adjustment functions are still troublesome for the elderly with decreased physical strength and reaction speed. For example, the process of adjusting height or disassembling equipment may require a certain amount of force and skill, which is not very friendly to older farmers.
3. The design lacks humanity
   Although this product is designed to make it easy for the elderly to walk, it may not take into account the fatigue of the elderly after a long time of use, or the burden of standing for a long time, and the lack of a rest accessory, such as an additional seat or a softer handshake.
4. The material is not qualified
   If the device uses cheap materials, its durability is also an issue. The rural living environment is relatively harsh, and the equipment is easy to be worn or corroded. Moreover, the elderly have higher requirements for the trust of this equipment, and once the equipment looks easy to damage, the elderly will have a psychological burden and are reluctant to use it.
5. Lack of emotional care
   In addition to practicality, elderly farmers also want products that feel close to them in appearance, rather than cold steel tools. The design of walkers like this one is too medical, which may make users feel that they have become completely dependent on the tool, producing resistance.

Ⅲ.Design requirements and maximum cost

The design of tools to help the elderly cope with leg pain and daily sitting difficulties, such as walkers, need to consider the following requirements and restrictions:

1. Safety: The design should ensure that the product structure is stable, non-slip, and there are no sharp edges and corners to avoid users from falling or other injuries during use.
2. Comfort: the handles, seats and support points should be cushiony or ergonomic design to reduce discomfort during long-term use, especially for the support of the legs and waist.
3. Adjustable: the height, width and seat position of the walker should be adjustable to adapt to users of different heights and body types, ensuring that everyone can find the most comfortable use of the state.
4. Lightness and portability: Considering the physical strength of the elderly, the product should be as light as possible, easy to carry and store. The foldable design is a good choice and easy to carry when traveling.
5. Easy operation: The use method should be simple and intuitive, avoid complex operation steps, it is best to one-button or no-button design, so that the elderly can quickly get started.
6. Durability: Considering the frequency and strength of the elderly, the product material should be strong and durable and can withstand wear and tear in daily use.
7. Auxiliary functions: In addition to basic support and walking assistance, you can also consider adding additional functions such as emergency call buttons and LED lights (for night use) to improve safety.
8. Aesthetics: Product design should consider aesthetics, so that the elderly can feel confident and dignified when using, and avoid too “medical” appearance.
9. Cost effectiveness: Considering the economic situation of the elderly, the design should take into account the cost, to ensure that the product price is reasonable and cost-effective.
10. Adapt to the environment: The product should be able to adapt to a variety of environments, including indoor and outdoor, flat and slope, to ensure that it can provide effective help in different scenarios.

Reference cost:
According to the different styles and materials on the market, most of the prices are positioned between 70 and 300.