Exploring Markets for Assistive Technology for the Elderly

Author(s)
Londa Schiebinger
Parent Collection
Publisher
Gendered Innovations
Rights
Use of Materials on the OEC
Discipline(s)
Engineering
Computer, Math, and Physical Sciences
Topics
Diversity in Research Design and Practice
Published Work
Description

This analysis published by Gendered Innovations details why considering sex and gender when designing new assistive technologies will be an important factor to ensure that products are successful with all users.

Abstract

The Challenge

The world population will age dramatically by 2050. The increasing need for ambulant care and home health services places a growing strain on human caregivers, insurance companies, and social systems. New technologies are needed to support independent living for the elderly.

Method: Engineering Checklist

Analyzing data related to elder care, using sex and gender analysis, reveal new opportunities for assistive technologies and robotics. Researchers have studied the different needs of women and men as they age. This research along with collaboration with the elderly, their caregivers, and further stakeholders, provide engineers key insights for designing and developing assistive products that are useful to a broad user base.

Gendered Innovations:

  1. Assessing Women's and Men's Needs for Assistive Technologies
  2. Developing Assistive Technologies Considering Women’s and Men’s Needs
  3. Using Participatory Design to Create the Next Generation of Assistive Technology
ExternalURL
http://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu/case-studies/robots.html#tabs-2
Citation
Londa Schiebinger. . Exploring Markets for Assistive Technology for the Elderly. Online Ethics Center. DOI:. https://onlineethics.org/cases/exploring-markets-assistive-technology-elderly.