Older pedestrians, mobile phones and new way-finding technology: first stage of new research

Abstract

Problem New developments are currently occurring in mobile phone technology that involve harnessing GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to provide Location Based Services (LBS). This article reports on the first stage of research that aims to develop this technology in ways that will potentially benefit older people and people with visual impairments. Methods The literature on older people’s use of mobile phones is briefly reviewed. This stage of the research involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 32 older people, mainly aged 80 and over. The interviews included questions about respondents’ use of mobile phones and their views and ideas about technology to assist in pedestrian way-finding. Results Just under a third of respondents, the majority of them male, used a mobile phone. Overall respondents divided more or less equally on whether they thought way-finding technology would be useful to them. However, the majority of respondents were able to come up with ideas about the content, transmission and design of any such technology. Discussion Among these respondents, chronological age was a poor indicator of interest in and use of mobile phone technology for way-finding. Our results support other research that emphasises the diversity of older people and the variety of factors that drive people’s use of technology. Conclusion While the use of mobile phones for way-finding has potential for older people, their engagement in practice with the technology will depend on a complex of social factors, of which chronological age may be the least important.