Partner: Brunel University – London
Target: Elderly, disabled and low mobility individuals
3D Motion tracker armband for low mobility individuals
The issue
Interaction with digital devices can be complex for elderly people.
The majority of elderly people raised objections to having any interaction with digital devices.
The MYO armband aimed to help people with low mobility enjoy a more efficient and effective lifestyle. We worked on a compromise between a few negative comments such as “it feels too sharp, it looks very complex” and the many benefits digital interaction can offer those in need of such a device.
Our Solution
Your muscles talk, MYO listens, we translate.
Our research and development project based on THALMICLABS MYO aimed to create a new interaction system for elderly, disable and low mobility individuals. It is an armband that lets the patient use the electrical activity in their muscles to remotely control their computer, phone, and other favourite digital technologies. This research project showed how new emerging technology can be a great opportunity for elderly people to find a new user experience and interaction paradigm with new technologies.
“Major project DM3306” was a Brunel University project and it was run in collaboration with Qwince. The collaborative project’s objective was to develop the user experience and gestural input of MYO wearable technology, for people with low mobility. Qwince reviewed all developments during the process for further development if possible.
Technology
Qwince prepared a mobile app prototype to evaluate the activity level of elderly people by analysing reaction times to predefined stimuli. Our prototype let users request assistance (emergency calls), or listen to the radio using simple controls.
Outcomes
A completely new user experience and user interface for elderly, disabled and low mobility individuals.