The team completed the root cause analysis, compiled three personas, and began identifying constraints. The team is still unsure about which specific mobility device to focus on (walkers, canes, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.); however, the majority of the problems identified involve walkers and wheelchairs. The next steps are to decide which of the root problems provide the best opportunity for a product and to begin the ideation process.

Team has begun compiling observations into a concise document. Document includes user problem, user statement, problem statement, and metrics. Team is now working on developing different personas. Personas will be an older adult, a physical therapist, and a family member with a parent in assisted living.

An interesting find thus far has been the contribution of anxiety to how users interact with the mobility devices. Nurses note that users develop anxiety from a fear of falling. Anxiety results from different sensory inputs such as visual, sound, and touch. Regardless of end product the team needs to ensure that the device minimizes the anxiety of the user. A current solution that minimizes anxiety is adding weights to walkers which adds more stability to the users experience (shown in image below).