OldSmartphoneVideoCall App

Capstone project of the MicroMaster in Design Thinking at RITx (edX).

Goals: • Develop a prototype for the simplest possible video calling for seniors • Budget (purchase price) under 100 EUR

Summary: Many older people experience serious health problems due to loneliness and isolation. Because of immobility and a lack of technical understanding, they often only own a landline phone. Although video-calling solutions for seniors already exist, very few people in need use them.

In a shortened design-thinking micro-cycle, the problem was investigated, ideas generated and critical functions tested through a prototype. After confirming the existence of the problem and its significant scale, a combination of an old mobile phone, a special TV mount and an app to interact with the TV and Skype emerged as the best idea.

Result: setup of the selected solution would probably work without problems, but the budget of 99 EUR would have to be exceeded.

Document set attractively in Overleaf; actual working time around 35 hours. Written approval for publication of the capstone project is available.