Invention Helping Seniors Get Plugged In
Two young inventors, with the help of hands-on testing at a retirement community, have created a device that they say might change the way older Americans get news and entertainment.
Using modified MP3 players, computers and large touch-screen monitors in high-contrast colors for people with impaired vision, Charles De Vilmorin and Herve Roussel have created a digital kiosk that serves as a sort of iPod for older people.
At the kiosk near the cafeteria in Vinson Hall, residents can download big-band music, spoken books, audio news taken from print media such as the Economist, cooking lessons with Julia Child and on-air dramas such as “Dragnet” that played in an era when “wireless” referred generally to AM radio.
Users don’t have to log in, remember passwords or strain to read and type on a tiny screen, De Vilmorin said. Instead, they receive a small MP3 player that can be plugged into the kiosk, allowing them to choose material from a menu on a large touch-screen.
Photo by The Washington Post.
Marco on April 24th, 2009 12:32 pm
PlanetEureka.com has released an innovation ‘translator’ which is part of the USA National Innovation Marketplace. The system helps innovators with their early stage innovation sales forecasting and helps companies painlessly find and test innovations.
Jaclyn on April 29th, 2009 8:16 am
I think that is a great idea. while yes of course the elderly people still have radio and tv to receive information and news, i have heard of a lot of older people wanting to have a computer and do thing’s online, but don’t know how to use them and are afraid to ask someone for help.
ElderGadget on August 12th, 2009 12:12 pm
Being a blog about the way technology can enhance a senior’s autonomy and quality of life, we think inventions and programs like this are wonderful.
We also wanted to mention that devices such as iPods are slowly becoming more senior-friendly. In fact, the iPod now offers numerous “apps” (applications) that are geared toward seniors. You can read about them(http://eldergadget.com/products/more-great-iphone-apps-for-seniors/), as well as a variety of other elder-friendly gadgets, by visiting http://www.ElderGadget.com.
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