robots for the elderly (that’s us)
For a long time, Japan has been aware of a tremendous challenge it faces, which is the rapid ageing of its population. Instead of focusing unilaterally on medicine, medical care, labor and social security system innovations, as many countries do, Japan has been investing heavily in robotics and cybernetics in order to amplify and expand its shrinking ‘human’ workforce as well as help to cater for the needs of elderly.
“What would it be like to live in a world in which robotic assistants are ubiquitous?”, was a question burning in the back of Martin Postler‘s mind. Starting at the Kyoto University of Arts and finishing it at the Royal College of Arts Design Products Department, he ran a project titled “Life/Machines”.
“Life Machines engages with the question of how an ageing population’s needs can be met through technology. It investigates a possible future society in which humans and robots coexist in domestic spaces and asks what issues arise in a symbiotic relationship between humans and technology. Questions about what kind of compromises and adjustments will have to be made are explored through scenarios of everyday routines in the relationship of an ageing individual and a robot. The design of domestic objects that reflect the needs of both machines and humans becomes a tool for exploring the human condition and our fascination with using technology to recreate ourselves.”
In a fascinating, very tangible and confronting way, the project gives a what if look into a possible future, questioning both the human and robotic condition. Several contextual themes shaped by human needs such as nutrition, hygiene and leisure are addressed.
Note: Do check out also PostlerFerguson’s other fascinating work on their website. As a matter of fact they also exhibited new work on futures of food during London’s Design Week in an exhibition titled “The future on your plate” at Designersblock07.
Via WeMakeMoneyNotArt, image courtesy of Martin Postler
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