A Wearable Companion for Dementia Support
2025
Client
Assignment
Project Overview
PinPal is a speculative wearable designed for the year 2050, aimed at supporting individuals with dementia and reducing burnout for their caregivers. Clipped onto clothing like a brooch, it uses a built-in microphone, camera, and screen to deliver location-based prompts, reassurance, and emotional feedback, helping patients stay oriented and calm, without constant human supervision.
Created as a group project for the Design Futures module, PinPal addresses the future challenge of an ageing global population and the rising incidence of dementia-related conditions.
Problem
As dementia rates rise and healthcare systems become overstretched, families are increasingly taking on the role of full-time caregivers. But without professional tools, caregivers can quickly experience burnout, while patients may face disorientation, emotional distress, and communication breakdowns.
There is a need for empathetic assistive technology that can function without dehumanising the experience, gently and effectively supporting both the patient and the caregiver.
Solution
PinPal is designed as a wearable companion that provides:
- Verbal reminders and location cues when patients are lost or confused
- Daily affirmations and emotional reassurance through audio feedback
- Real-time distress detection, alerting caregivers to rising heart rate or agitation
- Help requests via smart pairing, allowing the user to ask for help from nearby caregivers
It collects passive data through sensors and enhances memory recall using familiar visual prompts displayed on its minimal interface. Doing so fosters independence and dignity for the wearer while giving caregivers peace of mind.
The final deliverables included a detailed user journey, product interface design, future scenario mapping, and visual branding.
