RACE: Towards exploring the design dimensions of a route assisting and communicating system for elderly

Abstract

This paper explores the usability requirements of a navigation system for older adults by identifying the key usability and ergonomic problems in existing navigation systems and proposing a set of new guidelines for designing such systems. We also discuss the design of a new Route Assisting and Communication system for Elderly (RACE) in which design guidelines are incorporated. Our results are primarily obtained from a series of usability evaluations undertaken with the elderly. This paper also identifies a number of advance features that a routing system should have for satisfying older adults on road. We suggest design implications for navigation systems based on our research and lay the path for future work. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.