Advancing Inclusive Gerontechnologies: Co-Creating Virtual Reality Wearable Gloves for Active Ageing in Hong Kong and Singapore

推进包容性老年科技：香港与新加坡共创虚拟现实可穿戴手套以促进积极老龄化

Grant Award: Start-Up Grant from City University of Hong Kong 

Funding Quantum: HKD $739, 000

Duration of Award: 2024-2027

Role: Principal Investigator

What the project is about:

As our society ages, new digital health technologies—like wearables, mobile apps, and virtual reality games—are emerging to help older adults improve their health and well-being. These technologies have the potential to encourage seniors to take charge of their health by engaging in physical activities. However, researchers warn that if we introduce these technologies without considering the social and cultural backgrounds of older adults, we might unintentionally increase health inequalities. Not every older adult will have the same ability to benefit from these innovations.

Aims

This study aims to explore how older adults in Hong Kong and Singapore use these digital health technologies. We want to create a fair and inclusive environment for seniors by developing a unique wearable glove that integrates with virtual reality games. Our goal is to inspire active aging and help older adults lead healthier lives.

Key Components of the Research

The project is structured into four main parts:

1. Reviewing Gerontechnologies: We will investigate how effective different digital health technologies are in motivating older adults to be physically active, improve their mental health, and enhance their cognitive abilities. This will include analyzing both academic research and public opinions expressed on social media and in traditional media.
2. Comparing Perspectives: We will assess the views of 2,000 older adults—1,000 from Hong Kong and 1,000 from Singapore—on the use of gerontechnologies. This part of the study will also look at cultural differences that may affect how these technologies are adopted.
3. Co-Creating Solutions: Based on our findings from the first two parts, we will work closely with older adults, their caregivers, and their social networks in both cities to develop an inclusive wearable glove and virtual reality games that resonate with their cultural contexts.
4. Testing Usability: Finally, we will evaluate how usable and acceptable our wearable glove and VR gaming experience are for older adults, gathering feedback from 60 participants to ensure they meet their needs effectively.