One Page Summary

During our study of the Cypriot market, we were able to reconfirm the distinct needs and preferences of older people when using new technologies, mostly related to age-related physical and cognitive limitations, but also to perceptions and low digital literacy.

In a digitally connected society, the immediate and inevitable consequence of exclusion from the digital era, is being under threat of social exclusion. We believe that our novel communication interface has the potential of vastly improving the elderly lifestyle and opening a range of possibilities for the target population, by alleviating the physical and digital complexity. Keeping the method to just one repetitive movement, akin to answering and hanging up a home phone, is a familiar method that is easily adapted to as we have seen in our initial prototype testing in Cyprus.

The tangible user interface has large, recognisable images for services and applications, as well as clearly labelled pictures of the contacts that are closest to the end user. The initial setup is carried out by a family member or caregiver, using a setup wizard. Content can be remotely uploaded and edited by designated family members via a web interface.

The expected impact for the end users, is tremendously positive, not just for themselves, but also for their families and peers who are invested in their well being. Through the IrisPhone, our end users will be able to connect to the technology sector via a smartphone, in an intuitive way that has been adjusted to their needs – dealing with the issues of vision, dexterity, cognition, hearing, isolation and loneliness, safety, connectivity and health.

The IrisPhone can be of great service to the families that cannot afford to pay for a caregiver or a care institution – customisations can be set up, that will allow an easier way for the family to check in on their parents or grandparents without the end user’s involvement. Multiple emergency scenarios will be monitored by the IrisPhone, with the emergency procedure ensuring that a contact will always be reached, resulting in reduced medical costs the swifter a situation is handled. Lastly, we will keep refining the product and its capabilities so that our customers will use the IrisPhone as a central hub of operation, interconnecting with smart home devices, further enhancing their overall experience within their home.

Through this challenge we will be able to work closely with the municipality of Dhali in order to install the IrisPhone to key communal areas, care homes and select families that will benefit from its implementation. This will have the positive outcome of social inclusion for the community, not just between the families, but also between the elderly users and their relationship with technology.