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PC Gets Easy For Gramps
Computers and technology still intimidate many elderly and at the rate technology is progressing its sure to make arthritis seem like bliss. Hitching a ride to the techno-highway is the Perch Computer, which incorporates the fun element while offering intuitive navigation. A touchscreen coupled with a key system makes the device easy-to-use and understand. Naturally, visual representations of the various programs are easy to comprehend.
The Perch Keys use induction technology to store information and programs. Place a key on the allotted slot to initiate the process. Data can be uploaded onto the Keys by simply dragging and dropping. Certainly you won’t need to be a rocket-scientist to use this comp!
Designer: Sylvia Spencer
20 Comments »
Lamah says
That’s just what old people need. A vision and dexterity challenge to keep them on their toes.
Mark says
Love it, would be great for kids too.
MadCow says
thats the problem, the elderly don’t like to be treated like kids and this “playful” design interface is directly aimed at kids…
i think this is a classic case of designer “wants” forced into project brief. and not that well foced either… its like “man i have this great idea for a new computer interface! ummm… my project is for old people?…. ok let me fake a little research… force the user testing and bam! the elderly would love this thing.”
Def says
I have seen a philips (apc interactive) solution with rfid chips (tokens), which can be placed into a bowl. This was build into a table, with touchscreen input – last seen 6 years ago.
This solution here however, is reminding me of the surface demo, but with less high-tech stuff. So it might be okay for elder people, but only if voice input is supported. And also if there is an personal assistent who will interact with the people sitting infront of the pc. I miss also – a webcam, pen and scanner. The assistent may check the health condition of the user over time, so that he is reminding them to drink or eat, or go to sleep.
And I would nice, if the perch key, were interactive – ie. Email showing number of unread emails – and blinking, or emitting a sound, when they are searched in case someone forgot the key.
Carl says
How patronising. please remember that gramps was probably a pioneer in the computer age. how many young people can write in DOS or programme anything?
Mark says
How many people can write in DOS at all? Sure, the pioneers of computing might not want this, so you don’t get them one. I don’t think you need to know the statisticss on computer literacy rates for the elderley to know that the overwheming majority would not know how to use a normal computer.
zippyflounder says
better for kids than “gramps”..zippy is the latter (and sometimes the former too) and can write 3 diff programing languages…sadly all obsolete LOL.
Mark says
It’s safe to assume that the majority of humans cannot programme.
Keith says
I’m not sure these tokens would be easier than a larger touch-based interface. Plus you’ll have less stuff to lose. I would hate to have to worry about my dog eating my email token.
Eric says
Actually this seems more complicated than easy to me. Technology is not at a place where I feel it could even benefit the elderly yet. They need a system that can read a thought (like save this email for later) and other basic functions with thinking them. I feel elderly would rather the machine read their thoughts, than having to read a computers’ to figure out how it works. A 50 y/o today will probably be the first successful elderly computer user in 20/30 years, because they know computers enough to make them function as tech gets better. You can’t raise George Washington from the dead and expect him to learn this system “naturally.” The baby boomers will use the comps later on, it’s a generational learning curve.
Sylvia Spencer says
Thank you for the comments on my design. I do like designing for kids, and I like designing fun things, so many of my designs tend to end up “kiddy”. Part of the assignment was that the computer be innovative and not traditional, so that is why it is a totally different way of operating a computer.
If you would like to see more of my stuff, here’s my porfolio on coroflot…
http://www.coroflot.com/sylviaspencer
Carl says
I finally agree with Eric. No, you cannot raise George Washington from the Dead. haha.
Mark says
Nice portfolio!
So says
Isn’t this just a copy of Bens concept
M.S.W. says
Link to the “Jive” computer UI/System by Ben Arent that “So” is refering to.
http://jive.benarent.co.uk/
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