Our Journey Creating the First IoT Product for Senior Citizens

Inspiration from Silicon Valley

Upon our return from the tech mecca, we were determined to tackle the challenges faced by senior citizens using IoT. Starting in April 2017, we embarked on a two-year-long journey to turn our vision into a tangible product.

Understanding the Problem

With an increasing number of elderly opting to “age in place”, many face health challenges such as heart problems, diabetes, and dementia.

Their adult children struggle to provide constant care because they juggle work and family responsibilities.

In emergencies, like falls or health issues, the seniors might be unable to seek help promptly. There was a clear need for a technology solution that could offer continuous monitoring and a straightforward way to call for assistance.

The Growing Market

Our research showed a global aging trend. By 2050, the world will host over 2 billion people over 60.

In Malaysia alone, 7% of the population is currently over 65. This indicated a significant potential market for healthcare solutions tailored to seniors.

Designing the IoT Solution

We envisioned a solution that would prioritize the health and safety of our senior community. Our essential requirements included:

A compact, single device for ease of use and mobility.
Continuous health monitoring through built-in sensors.
A GPS feature for location tracking, both indoors and outdoors.
Connectivity to relay health and location data to caregivers.
A two-way communication feature.

After much deliberation, we opted for a wearable device akin to a smartwatch. This device would effortlessly track steps, heart rate, and blood pressure and detect falls while ensuring the wearer’s mobility.

Navigating the Market

Introducing a novel product to the market takes a lot of work.

Initially, we reached out to Senior Citizen Care Centers for B2B collaboration.

However, we soon realized this wasn’t our target demographic, as these seniors were already under 24/7 care.

Shifting gears, we turned to online marketing and began engaging potential customers through social media and events.

Although the initial response was promising, the market segment still felt limited.

A further pivot led us to explore the Hajj pilgrims market, offering value-added services for their health and safety during their pilgrimage. The reception was mixed, prompting us to re-evaluate our approach.

Final Thoughts

Our first foray into IoT for senior citizens was filled with lessons, challenges, and invaluable experiences.

We’re excited to adapt and grow in this ever-evolving space as we continue our journey.

Three Essential Startup Tips:

Deeply Understand Your Problem: Before seeking a solution, fully grasp your target audience’s challenges.
Stay Agile: The market is unpredictable. Be prepared to pivot and adapt your strategy as needed.
Engage Your Audience: Actively seek feedback and build a community around your product. They’ll offer invaluable insights and can become your product’s most prominent advocates.

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