From users to shapers:: Participation of users in development of a mobile rescue phone and services

TIDE-projects concentrate not only in assistive technology for specific user groups, but the aim is to develop telematics products and services to be accessible for all. The case in this paper, TIDE MORE, is a project developing a telematics innovation, where GSM and GPS technology is combined to create a mobile alarm phone and related services to increase independence, safety and security of especially disabled and elderly people. However, the innovation is such, that it has great potential also for other user groups, and it is a good example of a product and related services, which need to be designed for all. This paper is continuation to the paper "Activity Theory as a framework for design for all", presented by the author in the 3(rd) TIDE Congress, 23-25 June 1998 (Porrero, 1998). In the above mentioned paper, a theoretical framework was presented for studying user needs and user participation in designing for all. The current paper gives an overview of TIDE MORE project and presents, how the described framework based on actor network and activity theory has been currently used and elaborated in the project for user participation in the design process. The main focus in this paper is on direct end user participation, even if cooperation with other stakeholders, especially with distributors, financiers, maintenance and alarm service providers cannot be over-emphasised in the development work.