Industrial

Videogames for Cognitive Improvement in the Elderly

This project explored the potential for videogames as a method of cognitive improvement, with many recent studies showing the benefit they provide over traditional methods. Through extensive preliminary research and user testing, the final design, TAG was developed. TAG provides the user with an intuitive and user friendly videogame experience, utilizing natural hand movements.

Karim Rahaman

The context

Cognitive decline is a phenomenon that will affect everyone at some point in their lifetime, whether it be severe or minor. Most commonly found in the elderly (those aged 65 and over), cognitive decline affects everyday life from memory loss to complete degradation of balance and fine motor skills. As the elderly population within Australia increases, the need to combat this phenomena continues to increase.

how does it work?

The video below explains how the TAG system is used.

The tag ecosystem

TAG consists of a total of three separate products that combine together to provide a fun, social, and interactive videogame based experience, the Wrist Device, Controller, and Sensor.

Hero shot of the Wrist Device, a black, rectangular device that sits on the users forearm.

THE WRIST DEVICE

The Wrist Device handles all the controls related to game choice and set up, with the device itself sitting on the Forearm through the use of an elastic loop.
Hero shot of the Controller, a small, black, ergonomic device resembling a tear drop, with buttons located on the front and sides. An elastic strap is also located on the top, allowing it to attach to the hand.

THE CONTROLLER

The Controller allows for the game interaction, with buttons situated on the front and sides for each of the fingers and thumb.
The Sensor is a large, black, rounded square with a translucent, tinted plastic front allowing for LED's to shine though.

THE SENSOR

The Sensor acts as the anchoring point for the game basis, providing the game element as they act as the targets that the user would have to point to and ‘hit’.

Materials and manufacturing

Each of the products were made to be injection mouldable, with some components utilizing side cores in the process. The overall design was constructed in a way to allow simple deconstructions for repair purposes.

ABS plastic was chosen as the material as its properties of impact resistance and overall strength lend well to the context of TAG.

Karim Rahaman

Karim is an enthusiastic and eager person who is always willing to learn new skills. He always gets along with his peers and enjoys collaborating with others to create the best design possible.