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Elderly To Get Satellite Navigation To Find Their Way Around Supermarkets

Posted by samzenpus on from the too-many-aisles dept.

Three government centers in the UK have been working on a way to use digital technology to help the elderly and the disabled. One of their ideas is a supermarket satellite navigation system to help elderly people who get confused by changing layouts in the aisles. Professor Paul Watson, of Newcastle University, said: "Many older people lack the confidence to maintain 'normal' walking habits. This is often due to worries about getting lost in unfamiliar, new or changing environments." A kitchen for Alzheimer's patients packed with hidden sensors and projectors is also in the works.

7 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. Oh sure by malkir · · Score: 5, Funny

    Teaching the elderly with Alzheimers how to use their new hand held satellite/rfid/wifi mapping device will be a SNAP!

  2. You mean slashdot? by bronney · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hang on a minute, you're saying constantly changing layout confuses people and drive people away??

    Welcome to slashdot.

    1. Re:You mean slashdot? by Smivs · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's okay for Slashdot to do it, because I'm not elderly and easily confused.

      I am. Could you tell me where the Baked Beans are?

      --
      Smivs on the intertubes!
  3. Re:Technological solution to a social problem by MeatBag+PussRocket · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wouldn't it be better for the supermarket to simply not rearrange their store all the damn time? Or alternatively, provide decent customer service by having employees give the elderly people directions?

    ... and stay off my lawn! spoken like a true geriatric.

    --
    i wage a holy war against the apostrophe.
  4. Old people by hachi-control · · Score: 2, Funny

    I may have Alzheimer's, but at least I don't have Alzheimer's.

  5. Re:Technological solution to a social problem by cybernanga · · Score: 1, Funny

    For old people with memory loss, it is.

    why are old people with memory loss leaving their homes to go grocery shopping alone? that seems pretty stupid/dangerous.

    They keep forgetting to stay at home ;)

    --
    www.Buy-Proxy.com - A "buyer-driven" global marketplace.
  6. Re:How this isn't an onion article is beyond me. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Reminds me of the time I went into a huge branch of Boots the Chemist to get some nail clippers.. I couldn't find them so asked an assistant:-

    Me:"Excuse me, Where are the nail clippers, Please?"
    Assistant: "For toenails or fingernails?"
    Me: "Um, Fingernails... Do you keep them in different places then??"
    Assistant: (Looks at me as though I'm strange) "Of course not, they're both together"
    Me: "So why did you ask... Never mind, Thanks"

    I didn't tell her I planned to use them on both Toe and Finger nails!! Hah!! take that! Boots Shop Assistant!!