Can we predict the future? How can companies use future forecasts to their own benefit? This project involves a study of the future of health care. Through using a variety of methods and trend analyses, three scenarios were created to outline the range of situations that could possibly exist in the year 2040.

Based on the uncertainty/importance ratio, one of these scenarios was selected to serve as an environment for a new product design for a large company, in our case Google. This led to the question: “What could be an interesting product for Google in the European preventive health care market, based on current trends in preventive health care?”

Extrapolating on trends in preventive health care and nanotechnology, we designed a system in which Google provides the technology to manage the health of an individual. A series of products will mediate between this system and the actual medical technology. In other words, Google would play an important role in making technology visible and usable and provide the health care sector with the necessary infrastructure.

To materialize this management system (baptized Google Iris) two products were conceptualized, knowing a smart wristband and a medicine vending machine. The actual use of these product is demonstrated in a short film that shows a day in the life of a future Google Iris user.

Project execution in cooperation with Bas Snippert (Snipdesign) and Ruud Baaijens.

Non-authorized project. no affiliation with Google