A Study on the Design of Walking aids for Outdoor Use by the Elderly Applying Universal Design Principles

• Published in: The International journal of advanced culture technology Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 325 - 335
• Main Authors: Dae-Hyun Ko, Ye-na Bae
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Rollator; Design thinking; Elderly; Universal design
• ISSN: 2288-7202; 2233-7318

Existing research on walking aids has primarily focused on functional improvements, often neglecting negative aspects such as physical injuries and psychological discomfort, which limits the elderly's active participation in outdoor activities. This study aims to analyze issues related to outdoor walking stemming from physical and psychological factors in the elderly and to propose design directions for walking aids that align with their preferences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 elderly individuals aged 65 and above who use rollators, from May 2024 to June 2024. The interviews were analyzed using a questionnaire based on psychological factors identified in previous studies and functional aspects, utilizing Universal Design principles. The five-stage design thinking model from d.school was employed for problem definition. Issues related to walking aids were identified and analyzed during the 'Empathize' and 'Define' stages. The findings highlight priorities such as maintaining proper posture, reducing vibration, improving ease of folding and speed control, and providing additional storage space without causing discomfort. The proposed design directions reflect the needs and aspirations derived from the actual experiences of elderly individuals. The study's findings are expected to contribute to the development of walking aids that enhance usability and confidence, thereby improving the quality of life for elderly individuals.