Can’t understand your grandparents? Do you get frustrated by the senior citizens who move at a snail’s pace? Can’t get over all of their annoying issues, aches and pains? Well, perhaps you need a little time in Genworth’s “age simulation” suit.
No, this isn’t an Iron Man-esque suit that gives you the ability to leap and run and play as an indestructible young child. Designed and developed by Genworth, a life insurance company, the R70i “aging experience” age suit simulates what it’s like to be old. As you can see in the video below, the age suit uses various means to simulate age: a robot suit that can stiffen joints, limit reach, simulate various visual problems like glaucoma, a loss of manual dexterity, and more. With this age suit, someone can walk a mile in someone else’s shoes in a much deeper way than ever before.
For a world so obsessed with eternal youth, I’m sure everyone has been clamoring for the chance to step a few decades into their future and directly experience the physical discomfort and effects of aging. But Genworth says they are doing this to help spread awareness and cognizance of the problems the elderly face as they get older. This way, families can take better action when considering the needs of their loved ones.
This could potentially take empathy for the elderly to levels never seen before. But why not stop there? Perhaps with VR and other likewise experiences attached, people can literally walk a mile in the shoes of others. People of different races, religions, genders and lifestyles can see–firsthand–what it’s like to be another person. This could go a long way in erasing discrimination and in the rehabilitation of people who have taken aggressive action against others due to prejudice. If you’ve has seen science fiction Adult Swim show Rick & Morty, we could be looking at a real life version of “The Game of Roy” in years to come.
For a closer look at the suit and development process, more details on what Genworth provides and more pictures and videos of the suit in action, check out the Genworth website.