inquisitrlogo

 
MIT Researchers Design Aging Suit, Hope To Spread Empathy For Seniors [Video]

Posted: January 4, 2012

MIT AGNES Video

Researchers at MIT have developed an aging suit to draw awareness to senior citizens and their increased health issues. While the AGNES (Age Gain Now Empathy System) won’t actually turn a person old it does create the feeling of turning 65.

The suit comes at a time when 16% of the population will reach 65-years-old in 2029.

According to the research team at MIT the suit can be worn by students and product developers so they can grasp a better understanding of how their products will affect the lives of older people who choose to use them.

The suit includes a heavy helmet, neck braces and yellow-tinged glasses among other offerings which help to simulate achy joints, limited mobility and blurred vision.

According to the MIT AgeLab’s Meet Agnes YouTube video:

“Put on this suit and you feel increased fatigue, reduced flexibility in joints and muscles, spinal compression and difficulty with vision and balance.”

Here’s the AGNES video to give you a better understanding of the suits capabilities:

Of course it’s impossible to know if the exact pains and fatigue in younger people wearing the suit matches the feelings experienced with old age but it’s a close enough way to design products and maybe create a bit of empathy.

Can you think of any unique uses for the MIT AGNES suit?

Comments