ROAM Research on Ageing Mobility Brief Report 2009

7/29/2019 ROAM Research on Ageing Mobility Brief Report 2009

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ROAM AUTOMABLE

Merih Kunur

Enabling Mobility – An Immediate Need Mobility for the physically impaired is a rapidly growing need – especially for older

people. More people are living longer, wanting and deserving an active life, yet

facing reduced physical, mental and social mobility leading to social exclusion and

mobility poverty.

Existing facilities and equipment are improving but currently inadequate and a

new approach is needed. Government is concerned and all those who seek to helpacknowledge the need for new thinking, new means, new typologies and new

systems. Delegates at the first workshop on Research of Ageing Mobility at the

Royal College of Art, arranged by the College, the Helen Hamlyn Centre and the

University of Surrey, discussed these issues, presented and generated ideas for

research and application, and agreed to act on them.

Robert Gifford, Executive Director, Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport

Safety, one of two guest ‘provocateurs’ at the workshop, outlined demographics,

reinforcing the requirement, the ageing population and the consumer need.

David Sinclair, as Policy Director for Help the Aged, supplied statistical evidence,

underpinning the needs and suggested a requirement for inclusive solutions –

‘products for all ages’, while underlining the street scene context, and

infrastructural access.



Looking at ways and means, Professor Dale Harrow, head of vehicle design at the

RCA, showed how current research on a related topic (that of transport for

emergency care) might help as a role model for Mobility Futures for older people.

Professor Peter Stevens of the RCA, who chaired the event, advised and

emphasised the opportunity to make a difference, to ameliorate the new poverty

of immobility in a mobile society, and the need to respect the dignity of the lessable, particularly the older population.

Remove preconceptions – ideal timing

In considering research requirements, Professor Peter Buckle, head of public

health at the University of Surrey, pointed to the market and transport needs anduncertainties, inclusive design, the indicators towards an extensive research

platform, and an active lobbying voice. He felt the timing of this initiative was

ideal as Government, Transport for London, charities and the health community

were all currently focusing on this, at a time when the automotive industry was

seeking sustainability and new markets. There was a need to change outmoded

thinking and this was a significant research agenda. Professor Harrow spoke too

about timing – there was an immediate will for a better, more qualitative service

as well as a commercial imperative.

The key question

The key question facing delegates was ‘How can we bestdesign mobility to include older and disabled people?’ and the

Workshop considered future personal mobility needs of the

growing number of older and disabled people in both urban

and rural environments, and how best to meet their needs

through a system approach, recognising safety and quality of

life core values.

The Workshop focused on primary mobility aids, with particular reference to the

mobility scooter, evaluating need, provision, improvements, coupled where

possible with all-ability solutions, within social policy and sustainable concerns.



Myth, stigma and immobility

Delegates commented on the family context, and

the inclusion of children in grandparents’ lives, the

demographic emphasis on women, the country trap

into which so many less able people fell, and the

stigma attaching to reducing mobility.

There was a clear emphasis on the built

environment, its intractability, and the need to

address the street scene in the context of decreasing

mobility. Delegates repeatedly emphasised the

problem of access, not simply in terms of surfaces,

and into shops, but to the less obvious facilities,

such as toilets.

During the group workshops, reference was made to legislation and regulation – a

necessary context for any significant service or product proposals, together with

training, insurance and maintenance. There was a requirement also to address

mental health, which might affect mobility interfaces. All agreed any solutions

must be eco-efficient.

The commercial opportunity

The ability to produce improvement would depend

on manufacturing access, and that would depend on

volume, to attract investment. Here was an unusual

opportunity for manufacturers, not necessarily

currently engaged in the mobility business, to

generate image and create brand awareness

towards an attractive typology.

To eliminate stigma, achieve effective solutions, and

respect dignity, mobility products needed to offer

comfort, flexibility, ease of access and of use,

reliability and a convenient, effective, easily

chargeable, long range power source. An inclusive

design could generate higher standards, more

appeal and reduce mobility poverty.

Workshops saw a need to harness technology in terms of information interface,

power source, contact connections, and sustainability.

The future – action, funding and support

The workshops proved above all that the need and the timing was now.

Delegates agreed to meet again to further the agreed actions, and ATCare offeredto host the next forum.



The Royal College of Art, Helen Hamlyn Centre and University of Surrey

have formed an executive partnership to run an initial research programme(with

two senior Research Associates commencing in October 2009) and to mount a

major funding bid for a long-term, extensive research and design development

schedule for a range of prototype services and products.

This initiative will be reinforced by a delegate body meeting in forum to reviewprogress, of organisations representing a wide spectrum of interest in the

outcomes.

Documents

ROAM Research on Ageing Mobility Brief Report 2009