'Thinking through things' to support cooperative design in the development of technology to support health & wellbeing

© Copyright 2019 IADIS Press. All rights reserved. Literature highlights that the reason for non-acceptance of health technologies is complex (Sligo et al. 2017, Standing et al. 2018, Bentley et al, 2014). The context where the technologies will operate and how they relate to the end users' lives are key factors to uptake and utilization. A number of researchers have suggested that the poor design of many devices and subsequent non-uptake may be directly attributed to the failure of technologists to engage end users and elicit understanding of their requirements. To date few studies have articulated how this might be achieved. This paper describes the outcomes of the first phase of a Horizon 2020 project, which adopted a participatory design research method, called 'exhibition in a box' developed by the authors which is predicated on 'thinking with things'. Over one hundred older people across four countries participated in the study, which sought to develop a virtual digital coach to support active ageing. This paper discusses the themes that arose in relation to the barriers and enablers to engagement with technology as identified by participants within the study. It critically reflects on the strengths and challenges of the co-design methodology.