THE RESEARCH AND THE ACTIVITIES CONNECTED TO THIS PROJECT HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY 4TU.DU, PROBE FUNDING IN JULY 2023.
AGE-FI and the aim of the probe
This project aims to engage the general public in a design activity critically addressing the potential of emerging technologies to support older adults as they age in place. Aging in place [AiP] refers to the capacity for people to age meaningfully within their own home. While appealing to a degree, AiP also comes with genuine physical, mental, and social challenges. Can technology mitigate some of these challenges and, if so, how?
This project is the result of a joint collaboration between the University of Twente, TU/e and TUDelft. Together, we combine interdisciplinary health research expertise with co-design practices and Citizen Science (UT & TU Delft), in order to arrive at a vision of interactive and tangible warm technologies (TU/e) capable of supporting ageing in place in an ethically responsible manner (TU Delft).
With Age-Fi, we wanted to create a design activity that aims to explore the positioning of a general public on the role of technology in aging in place.
Expectations
Instead of framing ageing as a problem and proposing solutions, our project is intended as a means for reflection: how aware are we of choices in terms of technological developments that will affect our future selves? How can we use scenarios to spark discussions and explore desirable futures? By presenting a number of art-based Sci-Fi (are Age-FI) scenarios that conjure up different ways in which we may age with technology, we encourage participants to reflect on their own assumptions about how technological developments can and should affect their (future) aging selves.
Moreover, on a meta-level, how can an artist’s eye transform and translate the researchers’ thoughts through the use of advanced technological methods into short, approachable and recognizable narratives?
Through the interaction with the installation, we invite the public of the Dutch Design Week 2023 to explore different scenarios and reflect on their wishes and desires for their ageing futures. After the interaction, the participants can share their reflections and imaginations on the theme and contribute to the installation by sharing their own perspectives, sharing thoughts that will themselves become part of the installation.
Follow the dialogue at the POLITICS OF DESIGN session: Navigating the politics of design. Building an engaged community of researchers at Microlab on October 23nd, from 14:00 to 17:00