4차 산업혁명 시대의 부엌, 욕실 가구방향 제시 - 고령자 사용을 중심으로 -

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how to introduce new technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution for better lives of the elderly. In relation to advances in housing space, kitchen and bathroom are functional spaces requiring physical activities, water is used in these spaces, and improvements are required due to sanitary flaws. These areas have gone through the biggest changes over time. The elderly people in Korea contain cultural habits, since they have experienced the rapid changes in environments before and after the modern era. In spite of the improved environments, it is inconvenient for the elderly to use modern kitchen and bathroom because of their physical discomforts In this study, the environments of the times that the elderly have experienced, were analyzed from the cultural perspective and the problems when using modern kitchen and bathroom were observed from the physical perspective of the elderly, based on the previous studies. The analysis finding showed that in the past, culture was formed by natural environments and social factors and this has been continued in recent times. It seems that although traditional elements have disappeared with the changes in space and furniture in modern times, they will remain in cultural habits of the elderly. According to the result of the case study, recent kitchen and bathroom IOT technology is expected to enrich lives by providing convenience in life. But easy methods of using need to be developed, since recent kitchen and bathroom IOT technology consists of little unnecessary and complex functions for the elderly. Moreover, it was found that there was a lack of cases containing Korean culture for the elderly. It is thought that these study results need to be considered before introduction of new technology in the aging society and can serve as a reference for establishment of technical application concept.