TALKATIVE

An inter-generational communication tool

Talkative is a communication device designed to help grandparents have easy, interesting, and vibrant conversations with their grandchildren who are remote from them.

Problem

“How might we help the elderly have conversations with their grandchildren more easily and without repetitive topics?”

Duration

1 Month

DATE

Nov - Dec 2024

Type

Product, UIUX, Service, Care

Most grandparents are not living with their family members. Apart from occasional reunions, videocalling has become a norm for the elderly to keep in contact with their loved ones, but technology is hard for them to understand and operate. Moreover, cross-generational conversations can be highly redundant and repetitive due to the age gap.

Solution

A product that has minimal technology, generate neutral conversation topics, and can preserve the precious memory of these talks for the elderly.

Schedule time to talk

Reply to talk request

See the topic and preserve memory

THE TALKATIVE APP

For Grandchildren

An AI app for grandchildren to generate friendly conversation topics tailored to their grandparents and themselves. Also include a schedule system paired with the TALKATIVE BOX for grandparents to choose - whether it is having a voice call directly through the BOX like listening to old-time radio channels or using a extrior platform like FaceTime, it’s their call.

Receive talk invite from grandparents

Schedule a time to talk

Generate friendly topics via AI

Sending out talk invite

Why a physical radio-shaped box?

Why a pairing app?

Where do these insights come from?

why?

Seniors have a longer learning curve with electronic products; touch screens and excessive features of mobile phones are often despised and rejected by elderly users.

The user habits of the other end of these family conversations - grandchildren - demand technology and simplicity; an app saves space and time for another physical product.

Quantitative research of 14 pairs of grandparents-grandchildren in the US and Asia. Qualitative interview of 3 individual seniors summarizing users’ preferences and needs.

Age: 86
Occupation: University Department Head
Grandchildren: 2
3 Key Problems: outdated topics to discuss, poor memory to recall what have already been talked about, unsure when to call
Age: 77
Occupation: Retail Manager
Grandchildren: 4
3 Key Problems: outdated topics to discuss, can’t keep up with modern technology, miss traditional communication tools (i.e paper letters)
Age: 69
Occupation: Farmer
Grandchildren: 1
3 Key Problems: wish to cherish each conversations, video call via phone is confusing, outdated topics to discuss

Competitive communication products, such as Amazon Echo Show and Meta Portal, are primarily designed for general use and not specifically tailored for the elderly. The remaining few lack variation, being limited to either a virtual or a physical form, but never both.

CallGenie - TV Video Calling for the Elderly

Pricing: $525+ w/ optional $200 support

Key features: Video calls via Skype on TV, auto-answer

x Highly Technical

x Still relies on offspring to manage and set up

· Business expansion from UK to US since 2019.

Keeping Busy Let's Chat Conversation Cards

Pricing: $28

Key features: Playcards with 224 questions, helpful for memory

x Incapable for long-distance families

x Repetitive with a limited number of topics to pick from

· 4.6 rating on Amazon, 400+ sales per month (December 2024).

Demands for a purposeful, user-friendly, experience-centered communication product are high. With its combination of AI functionality and user-based physical design, TALKATIVE is the right solution.