Elderly To Get Satellite Navigation To Find Their Way Around Supermarkets

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.

Comments

Technological solution to a social problem

[mrchaotica]

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?

How this isn't an onion article is beyond me.

[AbRASiON]

That is absoloutely brilliant and hilarious all at once.

Re:How this isn't an onion article is beyond me.

[timeOday]

I'd be interested to hear from somebody who works at a grocery store (or better yet, a big home improvement store, e.g. Lowes) how many times per day somebody asks them where to find something. 10? 100? I wouldn't mind asking a machine instead, if it worked.

Changing floor layout...?!

[__aaclcg7560]

The local grocery store haven't changed their floor layout in 20 years. The only thing that changes is the price of food: up, up, and up.

Now hopefully....

[phantomfive]

Hopefully those people who have difficulty figuring out a new layout in a store will be able to figure out this new software tool. Knowing my grandma, I doubt it.

How can this work?

[Masa]

Every time, when I hear about these in-door satellite navigation systems, I can't help but wonder, how these even could work. First of all, AFAIK, the GPS signal is so faint that it will not work inside the buildings. Also, the accuracy of the mobile tower / GPS systems might not be enough for this kind of applications.

Sweet

[PopeGumby]

Sweet idea, not just for elderley, but for anyone visiting a new supermarket?

the only problem is you'd have to make sure the "markers" get moved around properly - wouldnt leave it up to the 16 year olds who are mostly responsible for packing shelves...

Hey Grandpa...

[religious freak]

We know you're having trouble figuring out the whole "grocery store layout" concept and are trying to figure out an effective means to not shit yourself, but here's the newest 10 giga T5635 Garmin electro deluxe (now with 20% more marketing!!) to help you figure out the supermarket layout. Don't forget to check and make sure it's charged, updated with the new layouts, and make sure you angle it right so you can see it.

Aren't we helpful???

Re:Technological solution to a social problem

[X0563511]

Try that when your post 65 years old and starting to have memory problems. You will have a great time trying to remember what you need.

Trivial Pursuits

[westlake]

The first challenge for the elderly shopper is getting to the store.

Then there is the problem is reading labels and prices.

Getting the attention of the butcher.

Managing bulky and heavy packages. Navigating the check out line with your pride and wallet intact. Making it home safely..,and packing everything away.

Product placement is in three dimesions.

Top shelf. Middle shelf, Bottom shelf. Traffic flow and product placement within the store are designed to maximize profits - not convenience.

Management can be prickly about revealing schemes that work.

What the elderly shopper needs isn't a high tech gadget. It's the box boy in the aisles. The kid willing to help out.