Design of digital coaches for health and wellness in the workplace

Abstract

Aging of the workforce is a growing problem for many developed and developing countries. In Europe, the current demographic trend is towards an increasingly aged workforce [1]. This happens while, industry appears increasingly dependent on the knowledge of their older workers [2]. For this reason, companies are pushed to explore ways to keep older workers employed for a longer period of time [3]. On the other hand, work is undergoing technological upgrading and innovation driven by digitization, the so called Fourth Industrial Revolution [4]. The technological advancement makes possible to achieve higher levels of work and total factors productivity [5, 6]. In this context, the challenge is how smart technologies, particularly AI innovations and IOT technologies, can meet the needs of a growing number of older adults at workplaces, and how these technologies can be introduced to enable aging-workforce good health, aging labour market participation, and aging-worker security known as active aging in the workplace [7]. (AAiW) This paper presents the result emerged at IDEE Lab (Innovation in Design & Engineering Lab), of University of Florence, based on the methodological approach of design sprint and design thinking, through the exploration of the opportunities offered by smart technologies (AI and IoT) for the design of digital coaches and tangible interfaces, aimed at active aging in the workplace, and able to help people stay healthy for longer at work and to promote them smart aging.