The Age Explorer

Siemens have made great progress in researching the needs of older customers. The instruments and techniques they have employed are varied and unusual, creating some interesting, yet highly insightful results. Of the most unusual, is the Age Explorer - an all-enveloping suit and helmet designed to give the wearer a vivid impression of the physical and sensory problems associated with ageing.


The suit has 6kg of weights sewn into its lining, stiffened limb joints, and tiny neddles in the gloves to simulate the pain of artritis. in the helmet, ear pads muffle sound and a yellowish visor restricts both the field of vision and its colour. All everyday tasks from shopping to driving, instantly becomes immeasurably harder.

Although i am not convinced by this age simulating suit i think that it definitly provides the able bodied designer with an insight as to some of the problems that affect the older person. I think that it is important to remember also that there are certain mental conditions that may make the grasp of certain products difficult. For the young, and quick witted, technologically knowlegable, learning the functions of a new product may not prove so confusing as to an older person.

Siemens has also examined how best to sell and market inclusive design. By analysing how customers respond to sales information in the showroom they noted that while they wanted to know about the ease-of-use features, older custmoers reacted negatively to product marketing that makes an issue of age or personal deficit.

By doing their homework Siemens are learning fast that older customers form a vital part of their future.