Health care should cater to the different stages of life.

Yves Behar, an industrial designer and founder of design firm fuseproject, believes that the health care industry can lag behind other industries in adopting new ideas and innovations. He points out that consumers often experience frustration when they compare their healthcare experiences with other more innovative and consumer-friendly experiences, such as those at an Apple Store. Behar is a strong advocate for the positive impact that design can have on people’s lives, especially when it comes to designing for what he calls “extreme audiences,” including children, the elderly, neurodivergent, and mobility-impaired individuals.

Behar emphasizes the importance of design in times of extreme change, rather than just focusing on the comfortable middle part of life. He gives examples of innovative products that fuseproject has created, such as Moxie, an AI learning robot companion designed for autistic and neurodivergent children. Moxie has proven to be beneficial for all children, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, with over 4 million conversations with kids resulting in improved social skills.

Another notable creation by fuseproject is the SNOO robotic bassinet, which mimics pediatrician Harvey Karp’s soothing method for babies. The bassinet uses AI to recognize when a baby is fussing or crying and responds with the necessary soothing techniques. In fact, it is the first FDA-approved medical device that helps infants sleep safely on their backs and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

These innovative designs by fuseproject demonstrate the power of design in improving healthcare experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Behar’s dedication to designing for extreme audiences has led to groundbreaking products that are making a positive impact on people’s lives. This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of WIRED UK magazine.