AgeLab research inspires an A I startup
Don Yansen, an MIT alumnus, founded Kiwi Health after observing the difficulties older adults face with modern technology. The startup offers a voice-controlled wristband that simplifies health monitoring and communication for seniors.
Why it matters
Addressing the digital divide for the aging population is critical as healthcare and daily communication increasingly rely on complex digital interfaces.
When Don Yansen ’63 arrived at the MIT AgeLab for a study on technology in caregiving for older adults, he didn’t plan to launch another company. But when he heard participants talk about how hard modern devices can be to use, he decided to develop an alternative.
Yansen, a serial entrepreneur who retired to care for his wife, earned an MIT degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in physics from Northeastern. “What I took from MIT was a good education and the feeling I could solve difficult problems,” he says.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in