American Heart Association x USC
As part of the Professional Practices Residential (PPR) at USC, we participated in an intensive, in-person design sprint in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA). Over the course of five days, our cohort tackled a real-world challenge: exploring the future of AI in health and wellness for the aging population.
Timeline
5 Days
Final Presenting Group
Lizzie Siy, Osan Shrestha, Carrie Fodor, Kirsten Prentice
Tools
Figma, Canva, Chat GPT, DALL-E, Midjourney
The Prompt
Challenge
The "Silver Tsunami" presents a significant demographic shift as the Baby Boomer generation retires, leading to a surge in the population over 60. This requires addressing the complex and evolving needs of older adults who wish to "age in place" while dealing with chronic illnesses and maintaining independence. The challenge lies in designing AI-driven tools that support their health and wellness, while also being seamless, intuitive, and tailored to their unique daily routines.
Ask
How can AI anticipate and meet the unique needs of the aging population, enhance personal wellness, and create seamless, intuitive user experiences that cater to their daily routines?
Deliverable
Develop opportunity areas for the American Heart Association (AHA) to explore and support emerging, innovative products and services. Using the opportunity map, propose concepts for AI-driven products and services that expand wellness care experiences for the aging population.
Day 1: Unpacking the Challenge with a Provotype
As an initial exercise, we were randomly assigned to temporary groups and tasked with creating intentionally flawed healthcare concepts. This activity aimed to confront implicit biases, misconceptions, fears, and shortcomings head-on. The objectives were to:
Identify and challenge assumptions about the needs, capabilities, and preferences of older adults.
Reveal potential biases that could influence design decisions.
Highlight areas where further research and empathy-building efforts are necessary to better understand the end users.
Each group was given 5 cards, and were tasked to choose 1-2 cards to create provotype around.
Groups were randomly assigned, and from there we chose our two cards: Usability and Social & Emotional Considerations
With these considerations in mind, we created…
What is GentleTone?
GentleTone is your own personal AI assistant who knows you better than you know yourself. We empower the elderly to live more independently, reducing reliance on caregivers and allowing them to confidently manage their own routines. With tracking, personalization, improve hearing, and companionship all in one small device, we bring clarity to every moment.
Key Features
AI Assistant to help with reminders and manage tasks
Provides autonomy and independence to the user with recurring voice reminders and clarifying comments in moments of confusion.
Monitors Location and Alerts Family and Caregivers
Keeps you safe so you won’t get lost and notifies your family if you leave your daily routine.
Help Enhance Hearing
Helps assist those hard of hearing to hear more clearly
Touch Sensor Control
Unlock additional features with head movement, double taps, triple taps, and swipes on the earpiece for convenience!
Biases
As our team unpacked this idea, we thought about the biases that this idea inherently has upon first iteration. We felt that a product like this would be
Biased toward tech-savvy individuals who enjoy lots of complex features
Biased towards families that can afford and maintain expensive device
Biased towards families that have internet access
In terms of the cards we selected…
Usability
Caused us to think about the motor skills that need to be considered to use
No screen could cause features to be hidden/users may find it difficult to find features
Emotional & Social Considerations
Promoting autonomy while not considering how stress-inducing having a constant voice in your head is
Prioritizes routine and assistance over emotional connection with a caregiver
Why it Misses the Mark
Our team discussed larger issues this product would run into if executed. We felt that:
The user would lose autonomy
Product would induce anxiety due to constant reminders
User would feel lack of privacy
If the product were to notify family when something awry
It may feel like negative reinforcement to the user
May give more work to caregivers
Not intuitive, especially for folks who have issues with motor skills
Day 1 Takeaway
The Provotype exercise sparked meaningful discussions about biases, underlying beliefs, stereotypes, and preconceptions that often go unnoticed in the design process. It highlighted the assumptions we unconsciously make about the needs, capabilities, and preferences of older adults. This exercise underscored the importance of unpacking these assumptions to uncover areas requiring further research or empathy-building efforts to gain a deeper understanding of the end user.
Day 2: User Mapping & Proto-Personas
After analyzing how our Provotypes fell short in addressing the intended problems, we shifted our focus toward adopting a more user-centric mindset. This task involved designing a product with a clearly defined target user and demographic, ensuring our solutions were more aligned with real-world needs.
We were mixed by random into a new group to work with to create a user map and proto-personas. We had to chose from a set of given dimensions, axis’s to map these personas on.
Our group decided to have Tech Savvy/Tech Avoidant on the Y axis of our graph, and Socially Connected/Isolated on the X axis.
Building on the user map depicted above, we developed four more detailed personas to deepen our understanding of the target audience. Each group contributed 3-4 proto-personas to a collaborative slide-deck in google drive for all of us to refer to when we started ideating. These personas could be used as a shared reference for the whole cohort to help refer to in our designs.
Day 2 Takeaways
These personas enabled our cohort to explore a diverse range of potential users by considering various factors along different X and Y axes. This approach encouraged thoughtful consideration when designing user-centered solutions.
Day 3: Secondary Research & Ideation
After creating personas, we were given several themes to further research before we started ideating. These themes were:
Social Isolation and Community Integration
Chronic Disease Management and Accessible Health Monitoring
Aging-in-Place and Smart Home Technology
Caregiver Support and AI-Enhanced Elderly Care
Economic Equity in Access to Assistive Technologies
We organized ourselves into groups based on our individual areas of interest, and I chose to focus on Caregiver Support and AI-Enhanced Elderly Care. Within these groups, we conducted in-depth research and developed a visual map to highlight key trends, opportunities, challenges, and insights.
In our mind map on the left, we used color coding to organize subjects and highlighted challenge areas within each topic in red.
My contributions:
Researching existing challenges
Exploring current market solutions for elderly care planning
Identifying key considerations for families preparing for care.
Ideation
After conducting in-depth research on a topic of particular interest, we were tasked with generating multiple ideas within that category to present as seed concept pitches to the class. Our group developed two concepts: a digital caregiver platform and a physical smart product.
Idea 1: AI-Assisted Long Term Care Planning Platform
Normalizing collective responsibility & empowering both caregivers and seniors to make decisions with confidence.
AI-driven platform for streamlined, personalized elderly care planning
In-depth initial assessment collects health, lifestyle, and care information
Asynchronous features enable family members to participate at their convenience
Adaptive question tailoring based on prior responses for an intuitive experience
AI-generated care projections based on individual health trains
Provides accurate, insightful recommendations for proactive, well-informed decisions
Idea 2: AI-Assisted Walker/Rollator
An AI-Assisted walker than can transform into a wheelchair
Device detects the layout of the house and guides the elderly to room
Wheelchair that can use the map to direct to the desired location
Can notify family members incase of emergency or accident
Can gauge the mental and physical health of the user and keep the caregiver informed
Features
Map the layout of the house and navigate user to each room
Change the weight of the rollator foot to prevent falls or accidents
When in wheelchair mode, AI can use offline maps to take user to desired location [like a self-driving car]
Keep track of daily routines and also notify registered family members if necessary
From our two initial concepts, our group of eight divided into two smaller teams of four to further develop each idea—one focused on a digital platform and the other on a physical product.
What I Went With
I chose to join the team working on the physical product, a walker, as I wanted to gain experience ideating around physical product design, which I had not explored as extensively. Additionally, I was eager to try something new, especially since the digital concept was similar to a project I had previously worked on, Amara. This decision allowed me to expand my skills and approach design from a fresh perspective.
Day 4: Idea Development
From this point, we conducted more focused research and competitive analysis. Drawing from our findings, we developed a clear problem statement and identified a list of key features for the product. Leveraging the proto-personas created earlier in the sprint, we designed the product with a specific target user in mind. To further bring the concept to life, we crafted a detailed user story and use case centered around this persona. Oh, and we also came up with a name :-)
Problem Landscape
24%
of U.S. adults aged 65 and older use a mobility device, which include walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, with the need for mobility devices expected to rise as the population ages. (CDC)
1 in 4
With this low percentage of elderly adults using mobility assistance device, we found that About 1 in 4 older adults experiences a fall each year (CDC), with falls being a leading cause of injury and death in this age group, signifying that as the population ages, the need for effective mobility devices such as walkers will only increase over time. These falls also tend to negatively influence the confidence of elderly people.
40-60%
These statistics affect the caregivers, with 40-60% of informal caregivers (unpaid family or friends) reporting experiencing physical strain, particularly when assisting with mobility tasks such as lifting and transferring elderly individuals (National Alliance for Caregiving, AARP).
Competitive Analysis
During our competitive analysis, we examined existing smart rollators like the Rollz Motion Rhythm, which aids users with Parkinson’s through rhythm cues such as laser lines, metronomes, and vibrations to support walking patterns. Similarly, the Camino Smart Walker offers features like auto-braking, auto-boost for inclines and flats, and integrated lighting for better visibility, along with an optional app. While these products address specific needs, Pathfinder sets a new standard with its comprehensive suite of AI-driven features.
Pathfinder includes predictive fall prevention, real-time ergonomic adjustments tailored to the user’s posture and gait, and advanced obstacle detection and classification for safe navigation. Its intelligent navigation system uses LiDAR to map environments and provide voice-activated guidance, ensuring seamless use in varied settings. Additionally, Pathfinder offers a self-stabilizing mechanism, autonomous recall through voice commands, and adaptive micro-mobility for smooth transitions. Its affordability is enhanced by a factory refurbishment program, making it accessible without compromising quality. Pathfinder’s ability to continuously learn and adapt to users’ unique movements empowers them with greater confidence, independence, and safety, while also alleviating the burden on caregivers. This positions Pathfinder as a revolutionary solution in the smart rollator market.
Using the insights gathered from our research, we developed a problem statement that defined the challenges Pathfinder was designed to address.
Problem
Mobility challenges among elderly individuals or those with physical impairments can lead to a significant reduction in independence and an increased risk of falls, impacting their confidence and quality of life. This lack of mobility often places a physical burden on caregivers, who may need to assist with walking, lifting, and stabilizing their loved ones during daily activities. Over time, these physical demands can lead to caregiver fatigue, strain, and even injury.
Solution
As people age, maintaining mobility and independence can become increasingly difficult, often leading to a reliance on caregivers. Traditional mobility aids lack the adaptive intelligence required to support long-term wellness and self-sufficiency. Pathfinder promotes independence by providing dynamic support through fall protection, intelligent navigation, and ergonomic adjustments. It evolves with the user’s changing physical and mental needs, empowering them to move safely and confidently without constant assistance. Ultimately, Pathfinder reduces the need for constant caregiving assistance by fostering a safer, more autonomous lifestyle.
So What Does Pathfinder Do?
Intuitive Voice and Personalized Commands
Pathfinder responds to user-specific names, operates via simple voice commands, and confirms actions with beeps.
AI-driven natural language processing (NLP) enables smooth, screen-free interaction and assesses user well-being by monitoring tone and command patterns.
Dynamic Mobility with Convertible Wheelchair Mode
Pathfinder transitions seamlessly from walker to wheelchair mode. For easy handling, it offers lightweight option with the touch of a button to fold the device. This will also help caregivers carry pathfinder while traveling outside.
Health Monitoring and Caregiver Connectivity
Pathfinder can share health data analyzed from voice commands and insights of mobility to caregivers through an app, helping loved ones stay informed while supporting user independence.
A fingerprint-activated switch on pathfinder securely sends real-time location in case of emergency.
Smart Navigation, Fall Prevention, and Ergonomics
Pathfinder maps the home with LiDAR sensors and detects obstacles. AI-driven weight adjustments to stabilize itself by changing the weight on opposite side of fall and preventing it. For better ergonomics, Pathfinder automatically adapts height and grip to support the user’s posture and balance needs.
To ensure 100% availability, Pathfinder also stay charged by returning back to the station in the house. The handles also have solar panels that can prevent any elderly being stuck while outside. Offline maps can help navigate when outside. Over the air charging will be included as an add on feature in the near future.
Our Target User
To ensure our product effectively addressed the needs of its users, we adapted one of our early proto-personas, Margaret, into the target user for Pathfinder. Margaret, a 72-year-old retired school teacher, lives independently but experiences mild mobility challenges due to arthritis and occasional dizziness. She values her independence and enjoys activities like gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Using Margaret’s background, goals, and challenges as a foundation, we tailored Pathfinder’s features to help her navigate her home safely, prevent falls, and maintain confidence in her mobility. The product’s predictive fall prevention, real-time ergonomic adjustments, and intelligent navigation were designed to empower users like Margaret to stay active and independent while reducing their reliance on caregivers. This user-centric approach ensured Pathfinder addressed not only practical mobility needs but also the emotional and social well-being of its target users.
User Journey
The Pathfinder user journey is designed to enhance independence for users while providing seamless support for caregivers. Caregiver impact is highlighted by yellow boxes, and user impact is highlighted with blue boxes.. This journey redefines mobility by empowering users and alleviating caregiver burdens.
Creating a Mock-Up Prototype Image
Using DALL-E, I experimented with AI-generated images to visualize our concept for a smart walker/rollator. While this image didn't fully capture all the key features we envisioned, such as customizability, a refurbishment program, and wheelchair conversion, it provided an initial glimpse of the design we had in mind. Ideally, we would have iterated further and even created a physical prototype, but with only a quarter of a day remaining before presentations, time constraints limited our progress.
Day 5: Presentations!
And just like that, after several group rotations, four intense days of research and idea iteration, and countless cups of coffee, we made it to our client presentation! Each group showcased incredibly innovative and thought-provoking solutions to their specific problem spaces within the prompt. Watching the presentations was truly inspiring, as it highlighted everyone's dedication and creativity. We presented the work described above and received valuable feedback and critiques from professors, the dean of IYA, and the client. Through this experience, we gained a deeper understanding of how universal the challenge of caring for an aging population is and how personally impactful each idea and solution was to the stakeholders involved.
Reflections
Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into the importance of inclusive and accessible design. I explored a pressing, emerging societal challenge: supporting a population that is living longer than ever before. This design sprint pushed me to think critically about creating solutions that help older generations adapt to and embrace new technologies.
1.Understanding User-Centric Design Through Provotyping
This experience taught me the importance of confronting implicit biases and assumptions in the design process. Creating a "bad" prototype helped me recognize areas requiring deeper empathy and understanding of older adults' diverse needs and capabilities.
2. Applying Secondary Research to Define Opportunity Areas
I gained insights into using demographic trends, social factors, and AI advancements to identify challenges and opportunities in caregiver support and aging-in-place solutions. This research informed ideation and ensured the relevance of proposed solutions.
3. Collaborative Ideation and Diverse Problem-Solving Approaches
Working in teams to ideate around physical and digital products highlighted the value of diverse perspectives. Choosing to work on the walker project expanded my experience in physical product design, fostering creativity in a new domain.
4. Balancing Innovation with Practical User Needs
Crafting proto-personas and user stories grounded the development process in real-world applications, ensuring our designs addressed functional needs and aligned with user lifestyles. This taught me to focus on creating meaningful, intuitive experiences.
5. Emphasizing Inclusive Design for Accessibility
Designing Pathfinder reinforced the importance of creating solutions that are accessible and intuitive for older adults. It highlighted the need to consider usability and inclusivity at every step, ensuring the product is easily understood and used by individuals with varying levels of technological familiarity and physical ability.
