Design and Development of an Elderly-Friendly Smart Bed using Quality Function Deployment

Abstract

This study aimed to design and develop an elderly-friendly smart bed using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology to systematically translate user needs into technical design specifications. Data were collected from elderly users through interviews and questionnaires to identify customer requirements related to functionality, safety, materials, usability, and intelligent systems. The collected data were analysed using the Product Planning Matrix and the Design Deployment Matrix within the House of Quality framework. The results identified several critical technical requirements, particularly intelligent safety systems, smart convenience features, structural durability, and material quality. Based on these findings, an elderly-friendly smart bed prototype was developed using kiln-dried and chemically treated rubberwood integrated with assistive intelligent systems. The product evaluation indicated a high level of user satisfaction, with an overall mean satisfaction score of 4.29 out of 5.00. The highest-rated features included smart convenience functions, protective corner padding, intelligent safety systems, and structural stability. The findings suggest that QFD provides an effective framework for translating elderly user requirements into practical design solutions. This study contributes to elderly-friendly smart furniture development by integrating safety, assistive technology, and sustainable material considerations into a unified product design framework.