The challenge was to design an Audio Assistant for elderly people living independently at home or in a care home, providing a simple and reliable way to get in contact with people outside their home, such as an Alarm Receiving Center. The interaction needed to be highly intuitive and reassuring, so that even in stressful or emergency situations, the user could understand and operate the product with confidence.
Our role
Our role was to translate the complexity of an emergency communication system into a simple and approachable physical product. The design needed to communicate its purpose immediately, while creating a sense of familiarity, trust, and calm for users who may not be comfortable with technology.
Process
The design process focused on making the interaction as intuitive as possible. We explored how the physical form, button placement, feedback, and visual cues could work together to guide the user without requiring instructions or prior knowledge. Particular attention was given to emergency situations, where clear affordances and a predictable interaction are essential.
Result
Together with Onics, we developed an Audio Assistant with a clear and approachable expression, where the physical design makes the primary interaction immediately understandable. The result is a reassuring and easy-to-use product that enables elderly users to quickly call for help when they need it, while fitting naturally into both private homes and care environments.
Client
Onics delivers comprehensive B2B IoT solutions, providing the hardware, software, and cloud platforms that power smart home, energy management, and healthcare technologies. They specialize in white-label devices -including gateways, sensors, and smart plugs - allowing businesses to seamlessly brand and deploy their own connected solutions.
