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Intergenerational Technology Codesign in Deprived Coastal Regions

Authors:
Ray B. Jones
Rory Baxter
Marius N. Varga
Oksana Hagen
Amir Aly
Dena Bazazian
Alejandro Veliz Reyes
Swen Gaudl

Keywords: digital inclusion; codesign; coastal regions: extended reality; underwater telepresence; social games; voice interfaces.

Abstract:
Many coastal and rural areas in Britain are deprived. This regional aspect multiplies the effect of digital exclusion for older people. Younger people in these regions can also be digitally excluded. Codesigning digital technologies, using the natural and heritage resources of such regions would address this, but is rarely done. We present our methods and preliminary results, half-way through a 30-month project to develop novel technologies in extended reality, underwater telepresence, digital social games, and artificial intelligence voice interfaces and to use these assets to tackle digital exclusion. We are taking an intergenerational approach, working with 35 partner organizations, some to identify possible technologies and others to help with recruitment. Between August and December 2023, we ran 5 extended reality and 3 underwater telepresence intergenerational codesign workshops with a total of 36 attendees (24 older (50+ years old) and 12 younger (16-30 years old) participants). Social games and voice interaction workshops started in early 2024. In total we aim to recruit 120 participants (80 older, 40 younger) and codesign four new technologies. We present our experiences in recruitment and workshops This has lessons for (i) other regions facing similar issues of digital accessibility, (ii) those codesigning novel technologies for older people, (iii) those working in extended reality, underwater telepresence, social games, and voice interfaces.

Pages: 25 to 32

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2024

Publication date: May 26, 2024

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-3956

ISBN: 978-1-68558-169-5

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from May 26, 2024 to May 30, 2024