Challenge
The intersection of rising energy costs and demographic change creates urgent pressure on household efficiency.
In 2022, Germany experienced a 600% increase in electricity prices, largely driven by soaring natural gas costs. At the same time, smart home adoption among older adults remains extremely low, with only 6% of seniors over 75 using such systems. This mismatch highlights a critical opportunity: while energy costs escalate, those who would benefit most from smarter, more efficient technologies are often the least equipped to access them.
By 2050, the global share of elderly people is expected to more than double, intensifying demand for independent living. Yet, 9 out of 10 older adults prefer to remain in their own homes rather than transition into institutional care. This demographic shift not only strains traditional care models but also underscores the need for accessible, user-friendly technologies that enable both sustainability and dignified aging in place.
So what?
Smart home technologies must evolve to meet the needs of aging populations if we want to prevent rising costs.
Rising energy prices and low adoption rates among seniors reveal a critical gap: while smart homes promise efficiency and sustainability, they are often too complex or inaccessible for those who would benefit most. Without adaptive solutions, older adults face higher living costs, while opportunities to extend independent living remain underused. PAL addresses this gap by translating smart home functionality into a form that is approachable, supportive, and tailored to the realities of aging.
Concept
Unlocking the potential of smart homes while removing barriers for those who need them most.
Smart homes promise efficiency, sustainability, and comfort by connecting devices and automating energy use. For elderly users, this could mean lower costs, greater independence, and safer living environments. Yet current solutions remain too complex, fragmented, or expensive, leaving adoption rates among seniors extremely low. PAL was developed to close this gap, combining the benefits of smart home technology with a simple, character-driven interface that educates, guides, and empowers users without overwhelming them.
Target User
Designing for elderly users who value independence and simplicity.
PAL’s primary target group are elderly residents who wish to maintain independence at home but struggle with the complexity of digital technologies. By focusing on ease of use, clear feedback, and approachable design, PAL ensures that sustainability and efficiency become accessible to those who need them most.
Competitor Analysis
Why existing smart home ecosystems fall short for elderly users.
While leading smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit provide extensive automation and device integration, they are not designed with elderly users in mind. Setup is often complex, interfaces assume high digital literacy, and guidance focuses on technology rather than people. As a result, adoption remains low among seniors, the group that could benefit most from energy savings, safety features, and independence.
Design Research & System Design
Designing PAL through user-centered methods and system thinking.
PAL was developed by mapping how smart home sensors, devices, and interfaces communicate and affect the daily routines of elderly users.
Early design explorations asked “How might we…” questions to reframe smart homes not just as technical ecosystems but as supportive environments that educate users, simplify decision-making, and build confidence in their homes.
Design Principles
Making sustainability simple, intuitive, and human.
PAL simplifies complex data into large, easy-to-read dashboards. This ensures that elderly users can quickly understand energy usage and home status without navigating dense menus and interact with ease.
The leaf serves as a central metaphor, translating technical data into intuitive feedback. Colors and expressions make invisible processes, like energy savings or waste, tangible and emotionally engaging.
Beyond monitoring, PAL educates users about their energy behavior. It highlights power usage, cleaner energy sources, and the impact of everyday actions, turning sustainability into a clear and actionable routine.
Process
Iteration shaped PAL into an accessible and meaningful smart home companion.
The process began with quick sketches and paper prototypes to explore how a smart home companion could feel approachable and intuitive.
Through iterative wireframes and interaction mock-ups, the system was shaped to balance functionality with clarity.
System maps and tested user journeys confirmed PAL’s potential to guide households in managing energy more efficiently.
Testing
Exploring PAL through both physical interaction and digital prototyping.
Early mock-ups and simple interaction models tested how users might physically engage with PAL and how the ergonomics feel for different users.
Parallel digital prototypes and VR models simulated PAL’s interface and smart home functions.
Result
Meet PAL
PAL is a smart home companion designed to make households more sustainable, accessible, and efficient through intuitive guidance and subtle automation. Making it a smart home for everyone.
The design was intentionally kept universal and minimal, allowing PAL to blend seamlessly into any household. Interactions are simple, approachable, and user-friendly, ensuring accessibility for users of all ages and levels of technical experience.
PAL expands into a family of physical devices, from thermostats and light switches to window sensors and fire detectors. Together, they form a coherent ecosystem that connects sustainability with everyday comfort.
The mobile interface mirrors the physical experience while offering advanced options for education, tracking, and feedback. This ensures users not only save energy but also learn to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives.
At its core, PAL is more than just devices and apps, it is the unifying concept that ties the ecosystem together. By personifying sustainability as a friendly companion, PAL makes smart living both approachable and impactful.