Week 5: Need Validation and Market Research

Last week we went to seniors home, which was an enlightening experience. We got to hear first hand the necessities and troubles of the seniors.

It gave us motivation and encouraged us to keep and researching.

This week we are focusing on market research and articles on the subject.

As to Market Research, we found out that there are multiple companies and startups that try to solve the problems we found.

Some of those solutions try to give the elderly tools to cope with new technology such as courses and tutorials, and some try to give them the opportunity to use the technology by simplifying the technology - such as turning a smartphone or TV to elderly-oriented (big keys and keyboard for example). Some of those are acting as mediators to technology apps (such as WhatsApp, Photos app,...) and the seniors.

Relevant companies: UniperCare, BASIC Smartphone, ElliQ, JDC's course.

In order to build the cross diagram of the current solutions, we chose two axes:

X as the required number of participants

Y whether the solution requires active use or passive use of the user

We aspire to reach the top-right coordinates of the diagram.

As to the articles, we found an article based on research that shows that TV viewing does increase after age 55 - although all media usage, including television, decreases among the oldest members of society, those over age 84.

Different research also stated that the education of the untrained elderly is the most essential step in order to become familiar with new technologies, and another one showed that the seniors are eager to adopt new technology and willing to learn using a tablet, for example. However, the seniors expressed concern about the lack of instructions and support.

Therefore, understanding elderly perceptions of technology is truly important.