Evaluating Smart Assistive Clothing Design for Older Adults Through Remote User Testing

Smart assistive technologies (ATs) have the potential to enhance independence, safety, and wellbeing for older adults, but their adoption remains limited by challenges of design, usability, and acceptability. This study explored older adults’ perceptions of a co-designed smart AT clothing system and evaluated the effectiveness of remote user testing as a method for sustaining user-centred design (UCD) during product development. A qualitative study was conducted within the MATUROLIFE project, using video demonstrations and synchronous online testing sessions with 14 participants from six European countries. Data were thematically analyzed using a remote user evaluation framework, complemented by sentiment analysis.Findings indicate that participants valued the garment’s thermal regulation and emergency alert functions but raised concerns about design, esthetics, wearability, maintenance, and digital accessibility. Remote testing generated rich feedback on functionality and appearance but could not capture embodied aspects such as fit, tactile comfort. These insights reveal both the opportunities and limitations of remote methods for UCD. The study demonstrates how remote testing can broaden user involvement in smart AT development while underscoring the importance of hybrid approaches that integrate remote and in-person evaluation. Implications are discussed for future smart AT design, evaluation methodologies, and the advancement of inclusive, iterative UCD practice.