https://www.mdu.se/

This paper takes a system approach to implementation of future health and welfare technology aiming at prolonging independent life. A study was conducted where different relevant stakeholders such as older adults, care staff, managers, and decision makers were interviewed about their visions and attitudes towards the use of technology in a future context. Further, the paper elaborates on how information design can contribute to the understanding of different needs and how it can be applied in the development of health and welfare technology that empowers future older adults and contribute to a prolonged independent life. Finally, communication and interaction design are discussed in relationship to the usage of future health and welfare technology.

Artificial Intelligence offers a wide variety of capabilities that can potentially address people's needs and desires in their specific contexts. This pilot study presents a collaborative method using a deck of AI cards tested with 58 production, AI, and information science students, and experts from an accessible media agency. The results suggest that, with the support of the method and AI cards, participants can ideate and reach conceptual AI solutions. Such conceptualisations can contribute to a more inclusive integration of AI solutions in society.

Globalization and digitalization are buzz words in contemporary society. They affect both our private and our professional lives. Society has become more diverse with easier access to information and to virtual platforms that gives us opportunity to be in touch with colleagues, friends, family, etc. at any time. A complex environment is emerging wherein internet of things and big data are being integrated with products, production systems, healthcare, and daily activity and play an important part in decision making. This has an impact on future designs and the role of designers. Responsible designers with a holistic perspective are needed. The book highlights several aspects of design thinking such as Information Design and Critical Design. The meaning of culture, gender and disabilities are also discussed. The functions of Information Design are changing from 'showing the way', instruction manuals and graphic design. It will affect among others, healthcare technology, smart products and Industry 4.0. Design thinking perspective that includes users from the entire chain and from the producer to the end user of the product or service, is needed. This will also require gender and culture issues to be taken into consideration in designing products and services. Design thinking methods and critical aspects of design will contribute to an inclusive society.

The availability of new research for IoT support and the human-centric perspective of industry 4.0 opens a gap to support operators in unleashing their creativity so they can provide improvements opportunities with IoT technology. This paper presents a case-study carried out in four Swedish manufacturing companies, where four different workshops were facilitated to support operators in the conceptualization of manufacturing improvements with IoT technologies. The empirical material gathered during these workshops has been analyzed in five different reflective sessions and discussed in light of previous research from industry 4.0, operators, and IoT support. Results indicate that operators can collaboratively create conceptual IoT solutions and that expressiveness in communicating their ideas and needs using IoT technology is more relevant than technical aspects and details of their proposed IoT solutions. This technological expressiveness is identified as a necessary skill to be cultivated on the shop floor and can potentially contribute to making a more effective and socially sustainable industrial landscape in the future.

Today, many services, such as ticket purchase and cash withdrawal, are provided by stationary machines such as ATM and ticket machines placed in train stations and travel centers. Personalized service is not always available, and users are referred to machines and automats. Previous research on ATM and ticket machines mostly focus on user interface and do not take the contextual conditions into consideration. A well-designed interface may not work under conditions such as poor lighting and time limitations of the service which affects the usability. The focus of this paper is not the physical or digital design of ATM and ticket automats as such, but rather how they function in their environment, and how that will affect users; especially old people with some sensory limitations such as limited eyesight and partial motor skills. The empirical study indicates that the physical environment of these machines and automats is crucial for how the service works. Identified parameters that affect usability are light conditions, auditory conditions, the liveliness of the setting and time limitations of services. If the contextual conditions surrounding the automat or machine does not work, it will be inaccessible to many users, however deliberate the design of their physical and digital interface. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.