OMA x Google device
Improving senior health and care by capturing their stories
Oma is a first-of-its-kind senior-friendly device that uses Ethical AI to amplify and enrich the interaction between elderly and their families. By allowing seniors to comfortably record stories through voice and visuals, Oma can deliver emotional and cognitive prompts to detect variance over time and create opportune insights to project better care through old age.
1 in 3 seniors suffer from isolation and loneliness, preventing loved ones from improving and providing better care, especially when early detection is critical. Current solutions like caretakers, specialists, and more are costly, inaccessible, and can result in a loss of clarity into your aging loved one’s life.
This device is designed to replace the landline phone homes traditionally still have. While still functioning as a phone its main purpose is to create meaningful connections between the senior and their friends and family. The use of Googles technology can produce a hands-free system by removing all complications of current devices, making it important to the elderly, suggesting people to contact and screening calls.
Client: OMA Google
2022 Concept
In a market of outdated and impersonal solutions, Oma is a revolutionary breakthrough in monitoring emotional and cognitive wellbeing
Wellbeing
Isolation occurs when there’s infrequent social contact with others and a lack of a strong support system. 1 in 3 senior Americans report feeling lonely or vulnerable because the process of reaching their family is too complex, potentially leading to a serious decline in physical health, well-being, and potentially depression.
Insight
Understanding the present emotional and mental needs of seniors is difficult as we currently rely on healthcare professionals.
Guidance
Navigating the varying levels of care throughout old age often feels unguided and complicated. There are little to no resources available that cater to the individual needs.
Cost
Care for the elderly becomes increasingly costly and infrequent as you factor in general medical and specialist bills, nursing or attentive care, and more, especially during the pandemic.
Isolation occurs when there’s infrequent social contact with others and a lack of a strong support system. 1 in 3 senior Americans report feeling lonely or vulnerable because the process of reaching their family is too complex, potentially leading to a serious decline in physical health, well-being, and potentially depression.
Insight
Understanding the present emotional and mental needs of seniors is difficult as we currently rely on healthcare professionals.
Guidance
Navigating the varying levels of care throughout old age often feels unguided and complicated. There are little to no resources available that cater to the individual needs.
Cost
Care for the elderly becomes increasingly costly and infrequent as you factor in general medical and specialist bills, nursing or attentive care, and more, especially during the pandemic.
There’s a huge fear of leaving nothing behind so sharing stories gives a sense of permanence. The device can prompt users to call loved ones or remind them to record stories enriched with music, maps, and timelines.
Navigating care for your aging loved one can be a long, confusing, and arduous journey. This device adds clarity by getting smarter as you build up data through check-ins, therefore strengthening your knowledge of your loved ones and what they need.
Process
3D modelling was used to look at ergonomics and handling, ensuring that a usable and intuitive concept was generated. A larger form factor enables easy holding, as well as a simpler more intuitive design (e.g. removing all the buttons that a home phone would have). By carefully considering the look and feel of the product (and wider touch-points), Oma is able to build trust between device and user. Several design directions were explored while consulting with manufacturers to help build a feasible design. The direction taken was chosen due to the sense of nostalgia created, as the design intentionally mimics the actions of a dial-phone that would feel familiar with the target demographic while being tactile, integrated and modern.
The design
Several directions were explored all with the intent to match Google Nest's design style. Being tactile, invisible and integrated. The direction taken was chosen due to the sense of nostalgia created, as the design intentionally mimics the actions of a dial-phone that would feel familiar with the target demographic. Helping to reinforce use and adoption above home phones already on the market. The final design is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use considering arthritic and restricted movement.
