Flo is an innovative product. It works on the principle of simple anatomical physics and is a one piece injection molded product which has the ability to be manufactured cheaply making it accessible to the public and those in need of assistance with physical movement and transfer. It is an intuitive and functional alternative to zimmer frames, hoists walking sticks, and in some cases also crutches. These products are often dismissed by those getting older due to the attached stigma, either that or they are afraid to use them due to their medical appearance or do not know how to access them due to routes to market currently implemented with many such items, often marketed through healthcare organizations such as hospitals and nursing homes rendering them as a solution to ease the burden of others AFTER it is too late for those directly affected to take control and assist themselves. Those who need assistance in their own homes cannot just find such a product to buy on the high street and even if they could, it would probably be unaffordable due to cost because of the overcomplexed fabrication and design in existing solutions. Flo offers such an obvious simplicity as an affordable, accessible and appealing alternative that I believe it will be widely embraced, I see it being available on the high street once patented, manufactured and safety tested.

This project is initially being undertaken to improve the lives of those needing assistance with regaining strength and / or self esteem. I think that now would be a great time to launch this product and see it into production as it will coincide with my appearance on the 6 part BBC documentary series with Starck. This soon to be aired Tv show documents the entire process of the products design from conception to prototype and I go on to be the competition winner with the design. This will gain great publicity for the product and I anticipate lots of purchase enquiries, however without an opportunity such as this I will be unable to supply the product as I do not have the business expertise or finance to see it through. This project tackles attitudes to aging head on and presents a sustainable solution for age management. If the project is not proceeded with then humanity may potentially miss out on a life changing product which could provide hope and encouragement for millions of people in an aging demographic.

This product returns dignity to those who may feel a distinct lack of control and autonomy. The product will increase independence, self belief and self worth bringing them the determination to regain strength. It also eases the burden felt by careers and removes the feeling of helplessness and sorrow. This could potentially save the nursing industry thousands by removing the strain from nurses backs which are often put out helping those patients who require just a small boost to raise to a standing level.

If I can access the industry specialists I need to convince them of the products worth, then I can have it manufactured either through a licensing agreement or with funding I can pay someone to manufacture and test it for me. This will render it widely available through recognized avenues rather than through medical recommendation allowing people to take control of their independence and rehabilitation. These are the aims of the project, the objectives are as described previously in assisting people to regain strength control and independence and a sense of self worth. The methodology will be to develop the design further by engaging the target user group in the evaluation and remedial process, it is envisaged that it promotion and trailing would also involve the target group and encourage recommendation to peers.

I believe that this product represents progress for humanity on both a physical and intellectual level. It brings about a reconsideration of personal values with the public at large and may facilitate an elevated perception of those in need of physical support. Existing solutions project a stereotype which exacerbates transgenerational misunderstanding and ignorance. There are few, if any viable alternatives to this product which tackle this problem in a contemporary form lead by a social concept of awareness and sensitivity towards inner human value. I have rethought the concept of assistance to consider the use of body parts which are affected by age less quickly (the upper muscles and the skeleton) and constitute natural human strength to counteract and assist the weaker elements of the body more quickly affected by aging to assist in physical and social rehabilitation.

The positive outcomes for society consist of a stronger older generation who are more inclined to work for longer and remain integral to society and their communities through and enhanced self appreciation. This will reverberate further into culture in the sense that this prolongation of activity for those with a lifetime of knowledge and experience can penetrate deeper and for longer into the practice of younger colleagues, this is intrinsically invaluable to the learning process of each generation therefore benefiting the ongoing development and evolution of mankind.

I also hope that this product will exist as a fine example of good design, assisting people in understanding the principles of benefiting others through their work in a way that is both commercially viable and humanistic. I want Flo to become recognized as a symbol for simple sustainable solutions which provide hope and real benefit. Consumers need to be more discerning about the products that they choose to buy. More needs to be done to ensure that the products we produce as a society are of real worth, they should bring about tangible benefits which do not contribute to environmental degradation and personal debt. This will in turn benefit the industry, economy and could even reform policy.