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The Design Museum and Design Age Institute present a display that explores how design can support an ageing population - London TV

The Design Museum and Design Age Institute present a display that explores how design can support an ageing population

by London-TV in Business

The Future of Ageing display, curated by Design Age Institute, based at the Royal College of Art, in collaboration with the Design Museum, explores how design can support significant demographic changes that point to a future in which there will be more older people than young. The display will be showcased in the atrium of the Design Museum from 20 July until 11 September 2022. It aims to remind us that we are all ageing no matter our age and considers how design and innovation can meet the needs, interests, and desires of the older consumer with greater agency and even joy.

Life expectancy is increasing – according to the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing – a person born today is expected to live to around 104. By 2040, over a quarter of the UK’s population will be over the age of 60, but over 70% of us will be fit and healthy with no need for social care or support. Almost all of us will be active online, and we are expected to spend over 20 percent less on healthcare and considerably more on recreation, culture, and travel. In the next couple of decades those of us aged over 55 will account for 63 pence of every pound spent in the UK, presenting a massive, untapped market for designers, retailers, and service providers.

What’s in the display ​
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​The display showcases prototypes, sketches, and research from six design projects that are being developed by Design Age Institute and its partners.

The Centaur – a self-balancing, two-wheeled personal electric vehicle (PEV) for people with difficulties getting around, developed by Centaur Robotics Ltd. The Centaur aims to make supported mobility more accessible, more flexible, and more desirable and to spotlight the significant opportunity to expand the mobility market (pictured above). “I want to end the social isolation resulting from reduced mobility. And I believe good design can do that,” said Paul Campbell, Design Director at Centaur Robotics.

Gita – a hands-free cargo-carrying robot made by Piaggio Fast Forward, creators of the iconic Vespa scooter (pictured above left). ​ The UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing is now exploring Gita’s potential impact on the lives of older adults with user groups. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with a robot,” said one user this year.