| Sumario: | Issue As 14% of the population will be older than 65 years old by 20181, Taiwan is expected to migrate from an 'aging society' to an 'aged society'. Many companies and R&D projects have been focusing on developing gerontechnology products and services. In our observation, consumers' self-esteem, living situations, and cultural traditions are often overlooked in the development process, while developers often pay more attention to function and performance of the devices. This symposium hosted by Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the R&D flagship in Taiwan, contributes to the question, "How can we develop good gerontechnology products and services?" Content This symposium will first introduce why ITRI has focused on consumer research in recent years. Then there will be four presentations: (i) how the elderlys' preference for walking and exercise affects aging and postpones early limitations (C-W. Tang); (ii) how Chinese and Taiwanese citizens differ in their consumption of medicine and their willingness to see doctors; (H-D. Chih); (iii) how the 'Active-aging Easy Personal Mobility Service' enables Taiwan's active aging population to enjoy personal mobility (H-J. Yeh); and (iv) Key factors of next generation of portable supporting devices for older adults (J-J. Chan). All four presentations will address how consumer research helps R&D teams understand their customers. Structure There will be four oral presentations and Q/A sessions followed by a panel discussion. Based on insights gained from the case studies, the panel discussion will focus on the questions, "Why is consumer research necessary for gerontechnology products and services?" and "How to do consumers research before developing gerontechnology products and services?" Conclusion This symposium will demonstrate ITRI's recent developments, and how the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center's expertise will help R&D teams and companies reduce risk in product development.
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