The Challenge

By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or older, according to the World Health Organization. Many older adults face loneliness, social isolation, stress, and anxiety, which significantly affect their mental and physical well-being, independence, and overall quality of life. Despite the rise in technological solutions, many prioritize innovation over meeting the real needs of elderly users. How can we close this gap by designing intuitive, user-centered devices that offer emotional support, encourage social connection, and promote independence, while effectively addressing the specific challenges faced by this age group?

Key Requirements

Value Delivered

TuTu is a tangible, AI-powered companion designed to support older adults by providing emotional comfort and stress management during difficult moments. Tailored to the unique needs of the elderly, TuTu uses real-time physiological monitoring, such as heart rate sensing and haptic feedback, to deliver personalized guidance and reassurance. Through its calming physical presence and intuitive interactions, TuTu fosters confidence, encourages social engagement, and enhances overall quality of life.

Research

Elderly individuals often experience loneliness, stress, and anxiety due to reduced bodily functions, decreased independence, and various health issues (Fernandes & Paúl, 2017).

Many technological developments tend to prioritize innovation over user needs, which can lead to abandonment and frustration when technology fails to meet expectations or is difficult to use (Domínguez-Rué & Nierling, 2016). By understanding end-users and their specific needs, designers can create solutions that address the right problems effectively (Blažun et al., 2023).

While wearables have the potential to improve global health (Sqalli & Al-Thani, 2020), most current devices are tailored for younger users, with only a few designed to meet the needs of the elderly population (Kekade et al., 2018).

An expert confirmed that security is not a significant concern, as the device only interacts with the user and is not linked to personal accounts or sensitive information (Unstructured discussion with a security expert).

Questionnaires revealed that the majority of participants live alone and are aged between 60 and 80+ years (Research findings). Most participants preferred physical buttons over other input methods, while voice instructions received mixed feedback (Research findings). Additionally, participants favored a simple, home-based, and discreet design. However, small text, unclear instructions, difficulty adapting to unfamiliar tools, and affordability remain major concerns for this demographic (Research findings).

From a technical perspective, skin conductance can only be measured accurately on certain areas of the body. The Arduino device collects raw data from sensors, which can then be processed into coarse data by AI algorithms in the cloud (Unstructured discussion with a computer science expert).

Dr. Jelte Douwstra, a neuropsychologist, notes that elderly individuals often struggle to express emotions verbally. Tools like Alexa can provide valuable social interaction to help reduce stress, while devices that monitor heart rate and breathing can support relaxation or prompt preventive care (Interview with Dr. Jelte Douwstra). Dr. Douwstra also highlights that elderly people frequently avoid discussing their emotions, which are instead reflected in their behavior (Interview with Dr. Jelte Douwstra).

User research indicated that stressful moments for elderly participants often include phone calls, shopping, and cleaning, whereas relaxation activities mostly revolve around hobbies such as reading, gardening, and painting (Quantitative and qualitative user research findings).

Phases & Processes Used

Key Takeaways

After narrowing down the target audience and evaluating each of our options, we chose “elderly” over healthcare and work place target groups because we wanted to create something meaningful for this demographic, avoid the trap of designing projects only for students, focusing instead on social responsibility and addressing the lack of products tailored to elderly individuals. Additionally, one of our teammates lived in an elderly home, making it easier to engage with this demographic. These steps lead us to select the core values for our target audience included: Emotional support and companionship, independence and access to the Internet.

Technical Components Selection

Sensor Selection and Testing

Three sensors were evaluated, with the Grove Finger Clip Sensor chosen for its reliable data and ease of use. However, additional user testing with elderly individuals is necessary to assess its effectiveness in managing stress for this demographic.

AI System Selection

We tested various speech-to-text and text-to-speech systems, including Google Text-to-Speech, Whisper, and Microsoft Azure Speech API. After refining the prompts based on user feedback, Azure’s API was selected for its performance and clarity in product interaction.

# AI Role:
"role": "system", 
  "You are Tutu, a compassionate, empathetic coach who listens actively to the user. "
  "Your responses should acknowledge the user's thoughts and feelings, "
  "and gently guide the conversation in a natural, supportive manner. "
  "In addition, you are trained to identify and help resolve scam-related issues that elderly users may face. "
  "You should offer advice on how to recognize potential scams, provide steps to protect themselves, "
  "and offer reassuring, clear guidance to help them navigate any concerns. "
  "Provide thoughtful reflections and comments, but avoid asking too many questions. "
  "Always maintain a warm and understanding tone, ensuring the user feels supported and heard."
)

# Function to get a dynamic AI-generated response when heart rate is elevated
def get_elevated_heart_rate_response_from_ai(heart_rate):
  prompt = f"Your heart rate is {heart_rate} BPM. Respond to the user with a compassionate and supportive message. Ask if they'd like to take a moment to relax or try some relaxation techniques. The response should be warm, empathetic, and offer suggestions on calming down."
   
  # Generate the response from OpenAI's GPT model
  try:
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
      model="gpt-4-turbo",

user_prompt = get_voice_input_azure() # Captures voice input
chatgpt_response = client.chat.completions.create(model="gpt-4-turbo", messages=conversation_context) # Calls GPT-4-Turbo
text_to_speech_azure(chatgpt_response) # Converts response to speech using Azure

Microcontroller Selection

Due to compatibility issues between Raspberry Pi 5, Arduino Uno, and ReSpeaker models, we selected the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 with a ReSpeaker Hat 2-Mic for its superior compatibility and ease of integration.

Speaker Integration

To improve usability, a Speaker was added, and we selected the ReSpeaker 2-Mics Pi Hat v1.2 for its compatibility with the other components and its ability to provide clear audio feedback.

Lights & Haptics

We tested three iterations of light patterns and breathing exercises, ranging from basic to more complex designs, to enhance user experience through visual and haptic feedback.

Challenges & Solutions

• Integration Issues: Despite efforts, there were connection issues between Arduino, Raspberry Pi Zero 2, and ReSpeaker.

• Testing with Bluetooth Headphones: We tested haptic and light feedback using Bluetooth headphones, but for the final prototype, we prioritized the ReSpeaker due to its better accessibility and user comfort.

• Screen Usage: Research revealed that screens posed challenges for elderly users, especially with small text or complex interfaces. As a result, we decided to exclude screens from the final design, focusing instead on a more intuitive, screen-free device suited to the needs of elderly users.

User-Centric Design

At its core, Tutu was designed to be experienced as much as it is explored. With full Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech optimization, carefully structured code and interaction and mobile-first breakpoints, it ensures that every user — on any device or ability level — has an elegant, accessible experience. Thoughtful animations support rather than distract, while modern fonts and smooth typography elevate legibility and brand perception.

Meeting User Needs

Wedora speaks to multiple audiences — clients planning their big day, venues showcasing their space, planners communicating professionalism, and creative teams telling visual stories. Each section — from Services to Price Packages to Blog — is crafted to meet a specific purpose, while remaining flexible enough for personalization. It's as much a business tool as it is a storytelling platform.

Pages Overview

• Home – A welcoming entry point that conveys atmosphere, purpose, and easy navigation to key sections.

• About Us – Highlight your story, values, team, and mission with a personal, yet polished format.

• Services – A structured space to showcase what you offer, from planning to photography to decor.

• Portfolio / Portfolio Page (CMS) – Share real wedding stories and styled shoots through immersive galleries and case studies.

• Blog / Blog Page (CMS) – Engage your audience with tips, trends, and behind-the-scenes content.

• Contact – Convert interest into conversation with an intuitive contact form and clear calls-to-action.

• Price Packages (CMS) – Present your offerings clearly with flexible layouts that invite inquiries.

• Venue (CMS) – Feature curated venues in rich detail, helping clients envision their celebration space.

• Legal (CMS) – Organize privacy policies, terms, and other necessary legal content with structure and ease.

• 404 – A refined fallback page that keeps the user within the aesthetic of the brand, even in errors.

Features at a Glance

• Responsive Design across all breakpoints

• A11y Optimized for inclusive user access

• Modern Design Aesthetics with intuitive interactions

• 9 CMS Collections for dynamic and scalable content

• Text Styles & Web Fonts for clean, elevated typography

• Scroll Sections & Parallax Scrolling for immersive narratives

• Sticky Navigation and smooth Animations/Effects

• Forms and Contact Modules for effortless lead capture

• SEO & Performance enhancements to boost discoverability

Conclusion

Wedora is more than a template — it’s a storytelling ecosystem designed for modern wedding professionals and creative planners. With balance, emotional clarity, and technical finesse, it gives you the tools to create an experience that moves clients from interest to trust. Whether you’re planning intimate elopements or large-scale celebrations, Wedora ensures your digital presence reflects the same beauty and care you bring to every event.

Let your story shine — with Wedora.