Mobility Aid Design for the Elderly (MADE): a design thinking approach using a smart walker as a case study

Assistive technologies (ATs) are essential for promoting social equity, particularly as the global population ages. This study addresses the persistent issue of high abandonment rates in mobility aids, specifically smart walkers (SWs), by developing a systematic design thinking methodology called Mobility Aid Design for the Elderly (MADE). The MADE approach integrates the Stanford Design Thinking Model (SDTM) with specific design methods tailored for SWs. It includes stages of empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test, each providing actionable steps to ensure user-centered design. The methodology was applied in a case study involving 20 participants from urban settings, including elderly users and designers, using a combination of random, snowball, and purposive sampling. Interviews utilized the Evaluation Grid Method (EGM) and were analyzed using Quantification Theory Type I (QTT1) and TRIZ. The study found significant cognitive differences in preferences between elderly users and designers, particularly in esthetics and digital features. These findings were used to generate innovative design guidelines to reduce these cognitive gaps and improve user acceptance of SWs. The paper discusses the need for continuous innovation in assistive technology design to enhance social inclusion and reduce inequality. The study’s limitations, such as the use of images instead of physical products, and its urban focus, are acknowledged, suggesting areas for future research.