Research Centre for Future (Caring) Mobility
Overview
The Research Centre for Future (Caring) Mobility is a University-level Research Centre which represents a vision of interdisciplinary, cutting-edge, STEAM (STEM+Art & Design) and innovative design approach emphasising on living, caring and wellbeing under various scenarios of mobility.
The Centre is determined to tackle on the ‘wicked’ real-world challenges such as the future caring in transportation, transit UX, communication and integration of personal information in mobility, automobile cybersecurity, smart city fluidity & liveability, and UX in emerging transport modes such as versatile & on-demand transport, and wellbeing aspects in connected and autonomous vehicles. Benefits by such a unique vision, this Centre will be first in the world to focus on blurring various mobility related boundaries to vision the future of ‘caring-moving 關愛移動’, the research and design outcomes will significantly contribute to Hong Kong, GBA, and the region.
To carry out high-impact research, this RC will create a unique platform empowering visionary design-led innovations, emphasis on the potential economic, social health and wellbeing benefits in mobility innovation, and design practical, innovative, user-friendly caring-mobility solutions. The new generation of researchers, designers and innovators in this area will also benefit from this platform through a genuine design-led innovation approach, which focusing on the end-users’ evolving and unmet needs from both caring and mobility perspectives, alongside specialised technological knowledge.
Centre Director
Professor in UX Design & Design Intelligence
MDes Scheme Leader
Specialism Leader of MDes (Intelligent Systems Design)
Centre Research
The Centre will focus on five integrated Research Programs:
PROGRAM 1: EXPERIENCE & SECURITY IN CARING MOBILITY
PROGRAM 2: HYBRID CARE IN MOBILITY
PROGRAM 3: LIFELONG CARE IN MOBILITY
PROGRAM 1: EXPERIENCE & SECURITY IN CARING MOBILITY
This stream focuses on extending the existing strength and interests of the automobile industry, aims at developing novel concept enabling movement to be more fun and appealing.
Sample Project
Aims
Project 1.1
Playable & Secured Smart diagnosis, monitoring solutions supporting (paediatric) special care needs
Apply playable design & data security principles to develop engaging (e.g. kid-friendly) & secured AT: Concerning the needs of mobility
Program Leaders
Industry collaboration
PROGRAM 2: HYBRID CARE IN MOBILITY
This stream develops based on the MedTech companies’ capabilities to co-design, implement, test and refine their technology solutions with different user groups in multiple mobility related caring scenarios. By growing the sectors awareness of how Caring/AT is used in hybrid settings, by clinician and consumer end-users, Program 2 enhances partners innovation capabilities for new technology platforms (hardware and software) and service design models.
Aims
Project 2.1
XR system in mobility facilitating a Hybrid care environment
Reduce hospital wait times, by accelerating hybrid care at moving based on the data of daily care activities
Project 2.2
VR support for elderly’s mobility with future healthcare arrangements
Using VR to support aging people and their families to discuss and communicate preferred healthcare arrangements when their health condition deteriorates
Program Leaders
Industry collaboration
PROGRAM 3: LIFELONG CARE IN MOBILITY
Following the increase of personal expertise acquisition for self-health management resulting in positive lifelong health, this programme investigates and develops innovative technology-enabled care - undertaking a holistic approach across the lifespan: from birth to ailments of ageing, including managing pain and hearing loss.
Sample Project
Aims
Project 3.1
Daily breathing monitoring and management
Develop a personal breathing monitoring and self-care device for people with Asthma
Program Leaders
Industry collaboration
PROGRAM 4: “ROBOTIZATION” OF CARING MOBILITY
According to Department of Health data, in 2019, up to 42% of total deaths in HK was due to the major chronic conditions, and 31.1% the HK residents struggled with at least one chronic condition, at significant personal, social, and economic cost. This includes a range of respiratory diseases, handicaps, and bone/joint and genetic disorders. As chronic diseases often persist throughout life, a robotized caring mobility solution could efficient caring/AT innovations that support, manage, and treat chronic disease (and help keep HK people out of hospital) is a priority. Also, our population is aging and chronic disease increases with age. There is an urgent need for caring/MedTech solutions that better support HK residents – especially the elderlies - living with chronic diseases. This is the focus of Program 4.
Sample Project
Aims
Project 4.1
Smart integrated & robotized mobility for active ageing
Provide senior population using assistive technology mobility devices like powered mobility and walking sticks with useful health information on their mobility pattern and health status
Program Leaders