Empathic research

 

putting yourself in their shoe and using this experience to enhance design solution.

 

How to design a meaningful product? By diving into the world of the target group to get an understanding of their needs, desires, worries and wishes. By observing, interviewing and using an empathic suit of the University of Eindhoven, a deeper knowledge of how elderly experiences public transport was detected. The insights resulted in a service concept to change the behaviour of fellow passengers in public transport, to help the elderly to stay independent as long as possible.

 

The concept focuses on the creation of awareness for the elderly and motivates fellow passengers to help the person in need. With simple signs (helping-hand sign), certain popular seats in the bus are assigned as 'helping-hand'-seats. Passengers can choose to take this seat. In return for the seat, they make public that they will take the lead in helping people in need.