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Phase: Ideas Opportunity Areas: Reimagined Devices

The AirClothes Assistant

I hope my idea could eliminate the potential risk of getting worse for elders who falls accidentally at that moment.

Photo of David Chen
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Who is your idea designed for and how does it enable older adults to live their best possible life by preventing falls?

My idea is designed for elders who can slightly walk on the street. Usually when elders fall, they would lose the balance, and just lay down straight without holding anything. So the AirClothes can help people eliminate the risk of getting fraction or internal hemorrhage when falling. We can also fill in more simple treatment in those airbags attached around the body part.

I witness many times that elders fall on the street, it's very terrible scene. Usually they just lay down on the ground straightforward without any help. They even barely can help themselves while waiting for the ambulance. 

The injuries thus arise at that moment due to the impact created between body at the ground. It is suggested that the body should be staying stable as the way it is. Therefore the condition gets worse. 

If at this moment, elders can benefit from the clothes or equipment that already have on their own, it could dramatically help them reduce the risk of getting worse. The AirClothes Assistant thus comes to help create that cushion and can even further provide emergent treatment by filling materials that reduce the pain, then I think it could hugely help rescurers or even doctors conduct necessary procedures later on. 

What early, lightweight experiment might you try out in your own community to find out if the idea will meet your expectations?

I found that elders who falls have less likely severe outcomes while wearing more clothes during winter than they do during summer. So I think clothes materials technology deserves our more exploration on this issue.

What skills, input, or guidance from the OpenIDEO community would be most helpful in building out or refining your idea?

Elder people have many unexpected conditions than we might think, and sometimes even not limited to elder people. In other words, medical system is also what we could improve as a whole experience, such as long term caring, eating habits, medical instruments offered for the family use at home. Maybe we could integrate product designers, service designers, or industrial designers come together to create more friendly community or system, to make it as a one-stop solution provider.

How long has your idea existed?

  • 4 months - 1 year

This idea emerged from

  • An Individual

Tell us about your work experience:

I currently take Product Design program at SF, CA. Previously I work as UI & UX designer at Lenovo, and work as Interaction Designer at Acer Inc. Healthcare is one of my focuses as designer who wants to make a significant impact for our societies. I'm also teaching myself coding and business online.

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Photo of Kate Rushton
Team

Hi @David Chen

Thank you for all your participation in the challenge and for sharing the AirClothes Assistant with us.

All of the ideas posts are locked but the comments section is still open, so please feel free to look at other ideas and comment on them, seek feedback on your idea etc.

I know I have asked many ideators this question but I am asking again as some ideas pivoting in the challenge. Would you say your idea is Most Viable or Most Promising? How would the incentives associated with that Award (Most Viable/Most Promising) be helpful for you?

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