Design Age Institute unveils latest projects championing innovative products for healthy ageing
Design Age Institute at the Royal College of Art has today revealed the innovative projects that have come through the 2023 Pathfinder Innovation Programme.
The 11 commercially viable products and services, which include a self-balancing robotic mobility vehicle, an audio-led navigation app, and an AI-powered community facilitator, are among the latest Pathfinder Innovation projects supported by Design Age Institute. They have all been designed with the goal of enabling individuals and communities to maintain an active and joyful life at every age.
Based at the Royal College of Art’s Battersea campus, Design Age Institute was set up to provide design support for Pathfinder Projects; accelerating an innovative idea for healthy ageing from a prototype towards market. The Institute provides and facilitates seed funding for design, user research, opportunity scoping and mentoring, as well as connecting projects with design experts.
The Pathfinder Innovation Programme has been made possible through the generous support of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Healthy Ageing Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency and Research England.
Colum Lowe, Director, Design Age Institute, said: “One of the biggest frustrations of my career to date is witnessing how few potential entrepreneurs manage to get their ideas to market, and as such fail to deliver real and lasting benefit to their intended audience.
“It has been a joy to lead Design Age Institute’s Pathfinder Programme which helps overcome some of the barriers that entrepreneurs face, while at the same time demonstrating how great British design can help innovators connect with users, solve problems and communicate benefits making ideas more real, less risky and ultimately more investable.”
From mobility scooters to navigation systems, the 2023 projects focus on key themes including transport and mobility, to support improved health, well-being and connection for ageing communities to demonstrate the significant impact of investment in good design in supporting happier and healthier ageing.
A full list of Pathfinder projects can be found here.
