Shaping the future
Telecyclette is the innovative device that enables elders to remotely ride a real bike in a real environment together with real buddies and in real time
The Project
In assisted living facilities, elderly individuals often experience isolation and emotional deprivation, leading to demotivation and inactivity. Drawing from Self-Determination Theory, we propose the “Telecyclette”, a device that enables remote biking with family members and friends in real-time through virtual reality.
By equipping an ordinary bike with camera, microphone and loudspeaker, it is possible to create an immersive shared biking experience that fosters motor activity, motivation and well-being among elders. This four-year project, led by the Laboratory of Action, Perception and Cognition (Lapco) of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, was launched in 2023 and it’s funded by Velux Stiftung. The project aims to improve the quality of life of non-self-sufficient elders living in assisted living facilities and increase their connection to the outside world.
The Device
The Telecyclette combines an indoor and outdoor bike. Riding the indoor bike while wearing a virtual reality headset, the experience will be of being on an outdoor bike together with a real biking buddy through live streaming, including simulated air flow.
The Telecyclette may be equipped with a system for enhancing visual exploration, especially useful for those with reduced mobility. Future versions aim to make the experience even more interactive, allowing elders to actively control the outdoor bike.
