8 March 2023
Meet the Judges: Prof. Mugendi K. M’Rithaa, Industrial Designer, Educator and Researcher at Machakos University, Kenya
“I have first-hand experience interacting with elderly relatives living with dementia. I have to admit that it can be quite disconcerting to engage in conversations with your loved ones and realise that the random and unpredictable lapses in memories of great sentimental value for families are frequently disrupted by dementia.
The frustration and helplessness experienced have driven me to interrogate the phenomenon of dementia and similar conditions affecting those we love and care for.”
Why are you excited to be judging the Longitude Prize on Dementia?
Dementia is a global health concern that we should all seek to improve through empathic changes that account for the biological, psychological and societal elements of the condition. The impact of dementia, particularly as it affects our elderly population, requires that the global community finds solutions that support dignity and independent living.
The Longitude Prize on Dementia has made a significant contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
What experiences and insights will you be bringing to the judging process?
I believe that my background in industrial design and advanced ergonomics, universal/inclusive design, as well as design for social innovation and sustainability has enriched my professional and scholarly ability and what I can offer to this prize.
Additionally, I am a firm believer in the need to uphold human dignity as embodied in Ubuntu, a universally accessible philosophy which informs my worldview – that there is a universal bond of sharing that connects us all, and that we have a responsibility to others and the world around them.
What difference do you think assistive technologies will make to people living with dementia?
We live in exciting times, especially as technological breakthroughs now allow humanity to harness the power of technology, artificial intelligence and machine-learning to improve people’s quality of life. This is certainly fuelled by the advent of robots, ‘cobots’ (collaborative robots) and cyber-physical systems. To this end, assistive technologies are arguably smarter and more elegantly synchronised with our bodies to allow for more seamless integration and functioning – the possibilities for people living with dementia are “limitless”.
Have you seen an appetite for technology amongst people living with dementia? What do innovators need to take into consideration in designing for this audience?
I have indeed witnessed a gratifying shift towards broader acceptance of technology amongst people living with dementia. My advice to innovators is that we seek to incorporate design and usability features in adaptive and assistive technologies. These should counter prejudice and stigma and incorporate customisable features to ensure enhanced comfort for the person who will be using the product.
Professor Mugendi K. M’Rithaa
