Towards an account of sensorimotor knowledge in inclusive product design

Abstract

By 2020, one in every two European adults will be over 50 years in age. As old age brings along reductions in sensory, cognitive, and motor abilities, product development methodologies have to adjust. While sensory and motor abilities are relatively straightforward to measure, cognitive abilities are more elusive. The paper discusses how different sources of prior knowledge can inspire inclusive design. Special emphasis is put on knowledge derived from basic sensorimotor experiences. This is proposed to complement previous studies investigating the effects of tool knowledge on inclusiveness. Image schema theory as an account of sensorimotor knowledge is introduced and its universality, robustness, and multimodality are discussed. Current evidence for the usefulness of applying image schemas in user interface design is reviewed and implications for inclusive design research are derived. More specifically, a research program is developed that includes theoretical, empirical, as well as practical studies to promote the ideas developed in this paper. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.