The Kitchen Stewards
A kitchen service system addressing hidden safety risks and cognitive challenges faced by seniors living alone.
Kitchens Aren't Built for Aging Bodies and Minds
As the number of elderly individuals living alone in China rises, so does their vulnerability to hidden safety risks, compounded by cognitive challenges like Alzheimer's that make it hard to seek help in moments of danger. Conventional kitchens aren't built for aging bodies and minds, so I'm developing a kitchen system for individuals over 60 that minimizes the learning curve and prioritizes safety.
What the System Had to Deliver
Minimize the learning curve for elderly users when utilizing kitchen facilities.
Prioritize the safety of elderly individuals to minimize the likelihood of accidents.
Every Appliance Watches Out for You
Each element of the kitchen is rethought around safety and ease of use: an alarm-connected screen for detecting falls, automatic dish-washing, refrigeration, and lighting triggered by simple presence and touch, a smoke detector that senses rising CO and alerts help automatically, and an indoor monitor that quietly watches for anything out of the ordinary.
Making Advanced Safety Affordable
Today, this secure smart kitchen system is only available to households with above-average incomes, since it relies on many futuristic technologies. I'm also exploring how to build a more affordable, safe kitchen service for Alzheimer's patients living alone, one that's accessible to a broader audience.
See the Full Presentation
The complete presentation walks through the research, the kitchen system design, and the accessibility considerations in full.
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