Aries Lee, Hong Kong lifestyle entrepreneur, shows us around Ageing in Place, smart-living demo flat for city’s elderly
In a new episode of our Groovers & Shakers video series interviewing Hong Kong entrepreneurs, we talk to a woman inspired by mother’s stroke to open a store selling tech that makes old age more comfortable
For the ninth episode of Groovers and Shakers – a Facebook Live series in which entrepreneurs talk to SCMP.com about their brainchild – we visit Ageing in Place, a demo flat at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park in Sha Tin.
From the furniture to the appliances, everything in the 500 sq ft show flat is designed specifically for the elderly. As Hong Kong battles an ageing population, these smart living gadgets and designs show how technology can offer a helping hand.
Taking us through the flat is social innovator Aries Lee. Many of the products at the demo flat are available at Lee’s lifestyle concept store Ho Ho Life, which means good life in English. Lee started Ho Ho Life in the hopes of improving the quality of life of elderly people in Hong Kong. The idea came about as she was caring for her mother, who was hit by a stroke.
In addition to scouring the world for innovative and useful products for the “silver hair” market, Lee develops product ideas of her own, such as reading glasses with a blue light filter.
We are also joined by Richard Hainsworth, from Single Person Transport Design, whose company built a revolutionary wheelchair called Mobilet. Much lighter than traditional electric wheelchairs and capable of turning in a small space, Mobilet can significantly improve the mobility of those who are physically challenged.