During MIT's 2006 Independent Activities Period, the MIT-Germany Program once again brought MIT experts and students together with their counterparts at DaimlerChrysler and Siemens. Members of the MIT Age Lab contributed their expertise to the understanding of the complex relationships between evermore sophisticated technologies and an aging consumer base. In total, 15 students from various disciplines at MIT as well as 15 young researchers from DaimlerChrysler and Siemens attended.

Workshop Description

When we think of "technology" we often associate younger people as its primary users. But as all advanced societies are rapidly aging, older generations will increasingly interact with new technologies in all aspects of life. Our workshop will focus on future mobility and ask:
How can we envision the future of communication in the car for an aging population? How should the interior of a car accordingly be designed? How should companies market products for an elder generation?
An increasing percentage of cars are becoming equipped with high-tech devices on the dashboard. Typically introduced in luxury vehicles whose buyers are 50 and older, these new devices can sometimes be confusing by the average buyer, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction. This workshop challenges participants to innovate devices and their delivery that appeal to all consumer groups without creating “the old man’s car”.

Two participants are using equipment to simulate age-related restrictions of movement and sight

Read about workshop events or learn more about the MIT-Germany Program. Sponsors: