Overview
Japan has one of the fastest-growing aging populations in the world, with nearly a quarter of its citizens over 65. As mobility challenges increase with age, our client sought to explore how wearable robotic support devices could enable seniors to remain active and independent.
The goal of this project was to identify unmet mobility needs and understand seniors’ perceptions of wearable mobility devices within the Japanese cultural context.
My Role
As Project Lead, I directed the end-to-end discovery process — designing and facilitating qualitative research in Tokyo with seniors and ecosystem experts.
I synthesised findings into strategic design directions and collaborated closely with two industrial designers, who developed the physical concepts later handed off to engineering for prototyping.
Designing Research
Interviews were conducted in participants’ homes to understand mobility challenges within the context of their daily routines.
Observing real environments surfaced practical constraints, emotional drivers, and unarticulated needs.
Visual prompts and culturally relevant image cards were used to explore perceptions of comfort, independence, and future health concerns.
“I want to stay active and exercise… but when I walk I feel fatigued so easily.”
Speaking to Experts
To complement user insights, we conducted one-on-one interviews and focus groups with gerontologists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists, and caregivers.
These sessions explored the systemic challenges of senior mobility and the potential role of robotic support devices in promoting independence without over-reliance.
“The baby boomer generation wants to live independently, and will be more accepting of support devices than older generations.”
Top Findings & Design Directions
Independence & dignity are paramount
Seniors strongly preferred solutions that preserved autonomy and avoided burdening others.Urban infrastructure amplifies mobility strain
Long train platforms, limited resting points, and dense city environments intensified fatigue and fall risk.Fear of falling drives behavioral restriction
Anxiety around fractures and immobility significantly reduced activity levels.Medical stigma limits adoption
Wearable devices perceived as “medical” or disability-oriented were resisted due to strong self-image consciousness.Design must balance support and strength preservation
Experts cautioned against excessive assistance that could weaken existing physical ability.“The product is priceless if it can help me walk.”
In general, robotic support devices were perceived by the seniors as products to be used in a medical environment or for people with very severe disabilities.
With a high consciousness of self-image among Japanese people, a product that ‘looked good’ and not for the physically challenged was seen as extremely vital, as well as something that either blended in easily with their clothing or augmented their fashion look.
“In my opinion it is better to rely on these products than on someone else.”
Design Principles Derived from Research
Based on the findings, the solution needed to:
- Preserve dignity and blend aesthetically with clothing
- Be lightweight, modular, and wearable only when needed
- Offer adjustable levels of support
- Avoid overtly “medical” visual cues
- Enhance mobility without replacing existing physical effort
Personas & Concepts
We translated insights into personas and co-created user stories with stakeholders to ensure concepts addressed real behavioral and cultural needs.
Multiple concepts were developed from research insights, refined with industrial design against technical constraints, and delivered as validated directions for engineering prototyping.
Outcome
This research reframed the opportunity from “assistive medical device” to “dignified mobility enhancement,” grounded in the cultural context of independence, self-respect, and aesthetics for Japanese seniors.
By translating field insights into personas, user stories, and actionable design directions, we aligned stakeholders around a clearer problem definition and opportunity space.
The culturally grounded insights and concept explorations informed the engineering team, who translated the learnings into working prototypes for further testing and validation.
