This August, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP officially joined The AgeTech Collaborative from AARP, a one-of-a-kind ecosystem that brings together leading thinkers and designers in the AgeTech space to create meaningful solutions to help people make informed choices about how they live as they age.
Through expert guidance, pilot testing, connection opportunities, access to financing, and a startup accelerator program, the AgeTech Collaborative is designed to help innovative age-related startups develop world-changing solutions to improve people’s lives as they age.
“We are thrilled about OATS from AARP joining our community of AgeTech startups and leaders, and we look forward to a strong collaboration,” said Aurelie Cornett, startup collaboration director, AARP Innovation Labs. “Through OATS’ expertise in the longevity space and the Collaborative’s network and passion for innovation, we are excited to encourage more modern AgeTech solutions to reach the marketplace in the future and help make aging easier for everyone.”
“OATS is excited to join the AgeTech Collaborative and become part of its growing community of startups, investors, and industry leaders all working to deliver value to older adults through cutting-edge technologies that have the power to transform older adults’ lives,” said Collette Buscemi, director of innovation, OATS. “As an affiliate of AARP, this is a tremendous opportunity for OATS to be on the front lines and see firsthand a range of emerging technologies across a kaleidoscope of industries – from healthcare and diagnostics to entertainment and communication.
Buscemi added that OATS, with decades of experience in working to understand how older adults use technology, is uniquely positioned to serve as a convener and conduit between industry, designers, and the older adult community. “We can help shed light on and address the critical issues related to usability, accessibility, and age-inclusive design,” she said. “Learning how these new technologies are relevant, impactful, and applicable to older adults is just one of the many benefits for OATS as a member of the AgeTech Collaborative.”
AgeTech is a growing category of technology solutions designed to meet the needs of the world’s aging population. These include products, services, and experiences across industries that aim to make the process of aging easier, from health and mobility aids to artificial intelligence and robotics. Technologies being developed by AgeTech Collaborative members include blind spot sensors for wheelchairs; a social tabletop gaming console; a “smart” walker; virtual reality to address social isolation; wireless earbuds that double as a heart monitor; an estate planning service, and an app to help people with nonstandard speech be heard.