To promote the integration of aging-in-place technologies into home environments, the Architecture and Building Research Institute organized a series of cross-disciplinary expert evaluation meetings to assist companies in exploring potential market opportunities. On June 9, 2025, two sessions of the Product Positioning Cross-Disciplinary Expert Evaluation and Consultation Meeting were held in Taipei, inviting experts from industry, government, academia, and research sectors to assess the value positioning of products proposed by 12 aging technology companies focused on residential applications.
To support aging in place through the adoption of gerontechnology in home and living environments, the “Refinement and Promotion Project of Validation Methods for Aging Technology Products and Services in Residential Settings,” led by National Taiwan University (iNSIGHT), introduced a three-stage innovation coaching program. This includes Product Core Value Reflection Guidance, Product Positioning Cross-Disciplinary Expert Evaluation, and Field Testing and Verification of Product Integration in Residential Settings.
The program is designed to help aging-tech companies align with user needs and reduce barriers to product integration into everyday living spaces.
This second-stage expert evaluation meeting involved presentations from participating companies, followed by interactive Q&A sessions with consultants. Six experts from fields including industry, academia, technology, and real-world implementation were invited to each session (morning and afternoon), offering comprehensive assessments of each product's market potential, technical feasibility, user relevance, and level of innovation. Through this evaluation, companies gained insights into target customer segments, pricing strategies, distribution channels, suitable deployment environments, and potential partners — with the added opportunity to be connected to resources through expert networks. This cross-disciplinary expert consultation is a targeted, interactive exchange designed to help companies hit the mark in positioning their products effectively in the market.
Participating companies represented diverse sectors, including nutrition, medication delivery, pharmacist consultation, sleep solutions, home care, and medical equipment. Many were startups or small-to-medium-sized enterprises, demonstrating the innovation potential within the aging technology sector.
Throughout the sessions, experts consistently emphasized the importance of user-centered design — urging companies to start with the actual needs of older adults, identify what makes their product distinct, and clarify why users would choose their service. Rather than attempting to change user behavior, experts encouraged transforming products into services with thoughtfully designed user journeys, allowing technology to naturally integrate into older adults' lives. Most companies agreed that the expert guidance helped sharpen their product advantages and go-to-market strategies, and expressed anticipation for entering the next phase of market validation.
Companies selected to move forward will enter the third stage of the program: Field Testing and Validation in Residential Settings. This phase aims to help companies match with suitable residential sites or recruit end users for real-world testing. Through in-home trials, they will assess the practicality and market fit of their solutions, identify user needs, clarify key issues, and complete a proof of business (POB).
As Taiwan transitions into a super-aged society, the Architecture and Building Research Institute remains committed to advancing gerontechnology products in residential settings — building a safe, comfortable, and dignified living environment for aging in place.