VETUSNET - A SOCIAL NETWORK FOR THE THIRD AGE
DS 48: Proceedings DESIGN 2008, the 10th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2008
Editor: Marjanovic D., Storga M., Pavkovic N., Bojcetic N.
Author: Medeiros, A. P.; Ferreira, B. S.; Da Fonte, C. C.; Fernandes, A. A.
Section: Product development models and strategies
Page(s): 191 - 198
Abstract
This paper reports the work carried out by a team, to develop an innovative product that addresses the needs of aged people, using systematic methodologies of product design and development. The importance of networking in different contexts led the team to think of a product that could act as a vehicle of communication among elderly people, thus increasing their social networks. In order to identify the customer needs (elderly people) a total of 55 interviews were carried out. The sample comprised 69% females and 31% males with ages up to 85 years. The analysis of the answers to the questionnaires revealed that main needs were not only a lack of material goods but specially loneliness, with a clear need for communication. The product selected for development was an electronic device to support a communication network aimed at aged people, the VetusNet.
Keywords: social networks, erderly care, industrial design, product development