AgeTech in Las Vegas, between reassuring innovations and intrusive gadgets

© SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP/Archives

This is senior science fiction. In an aging world, digital innovation promises to make life easier for seniors at home. But between companion robots and health sensors, should we worry about this technological dependence or see it as necessary progress ?

Robot dogs to compensate for loneliness, urine sensors to avoid emergency hospital visits, and even a connected lipstick for trembling hands. These inventions, presented at CES in Las Vegas, herald a revolution in the care of the elderly, but also a new form of dependence on technology. If the products are designed to provide comfort and security, we can wonder about the place of humans in all this.

Patty David, vice president of AARP, wants to be reassuring, stating that “older Americans are very interested in integrating these technologies.” As reported by AFP, she mentions the explosive growth of AgeTech, a market that could reach $120 billion by 2030. But behind this craze, there is a major issue: the fear of isolation and loss of autonomy. Seniors do not only need gadgets, but human, close, accessible solutions.

Hannah McKenney, founder of Starling Medical, defends the idea that automation would allow earlier intervention in the event of a health problem. But are seniors ready to adopt these devices? ? “Price, ease of use and data security are obstacles,” admits Patty David, emphasizing that there is a significant digital divide among the elderly. In this technological universe, humans are relegated to the background.

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