Was es macht
Many seniors miss out on activities because they don’t know what’s happening around them or how to get there safely. Kompagnon bridges this gap with easy route planning and community-based content.
Deine Inspiration
The inspiration for Kompagnon came from our core question: How can we preventively support cognitive and motoric abilities in old age? Through conversations with older adults, we learned that staying mobile and socially active is one of the most important factors for well-being in later life. Yet many felt disconnected from what’s happening around them, unsure of how to get involved or move confidently through their environment.
So funktioniert es
We combine two core functions: personalized navigation and access to local events or walking routes. Navigation runs on OpenStreetMap and offers filters like avoiding steep paths, preferring shaded routes, or including benches. For users with smart glasses, a discreet dotted line appears on the ground to guide the way, keeping hands free and focus on the environment. Events and routes are created by the community or by local partners such as care homes, senior centers or nonprofit organizations. These institutions often lack the resources to maintain digital platforms. Kompagnon gives them a free, easy-to-use tool to reach their audience. The app is open source, ad-free, and does not collect personal data. It avoids complexity with large buttons, clear structure and always-accessible menus. There are no open profiles, no social media features…just simple, helpful guidance.
Designprozess
We started by analyzing apps and services for seniors and evaluating the challenges they face. In parallel, we conducted user interviews and surveys, including input from people with early dementia. This led to a lean and focused app concept, prototyped in Figma with original illustrations and a strong emphasis on accessibility. For navigation, we designed a subtle line shown through smart glasses, translating dementia-friendly floor layouts into digital space. Kompagnon also serves as an open platform for local initiatives to share events and walking routes without extra effort or cost.
Warum es anders ist
Kompagnon does not aim to increase screen time or create digital connections. Instead, it fosters real-life encounters and makes it easier to join or organize local activities. It combines two essential aspects of everyday life: knowing where to go and knowing what to do. The interface avoids clutter, uses calm colors, and always keeps orientation clear. The app is entirely free and open source, with no tracking or advertising, making it equally accessible for users and organizations. A standout feature is the optional use of smart glasses. The guiding line takes inspiration from one of the most successful tools in dementia care: floor designs that offer orientation and reduce anxiety. We’ve brought that logic into the digital world.
Pläne für die Zukunft
We plan to conduct further testing with seniors, caregivers, and community partners to fine-tune usability and content. Users will be encouraged to contribute their own walking routes and rate accessibility, creating a network of shared experience and knowledge. We aim to collaborate with care providers and community centers to help them reach older adults through a platform that is truly low barrier. Navigation via smart glasses remains a future-facing feature. While not yet widely adopted, we believe it holds great potential for seniors with cognitive challenges.
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