Joseph Coughlin

Biography

Joseph Coughlin is a world leader in the disruptive demographics of aging, where business, aging and technology converge - and for which our markets are unprepared.

He is the founder and Director of the MIT AgeLab, the first multi-disciplinary research program sponsored by government and business to understand the behavior of the 45+ population as decision-makers, consumers, patients, caregivers, advisors and technology users.

Dr. Coughlin's research focuses on how the convergence of baby boomer expectations and technology will shape the future of public policy and drive innovation across global industries.

He was named to Fast Company`s 2009 list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business.

Joe has an eminently practical approach that pursues "use-inspired" basic research and focuses on developing new business and policy strategies that respond to the demands of today's and tomorrow's older adults -- a huge and fast expanding market demanding innovations for enhanced quality of life in all areas.

The goal: Innovations that serve elders by seamlessly integrating technology and consumer services. (Example: a "smart" shopping cart that compares the items you put in the basket against your medical dietary profile.) Joe runs an especially effective program on automotive innovations for older drivers.

Titles

The New Style of Aging
Every seven seconds, an American turns 50. And every American who turns 50 today has more than half of his or her adult life remaining. Over the next 30 years, the number of adults over 65 - the traditional milepost of senior adulthood - is expected to reach 80 million. The marketplace needs to respond.

Technology and aging have been caught in a rut. We consistently ask how we can design products for older adults, but we should be thinking about what is cool, desirable, sexy, and fashionable. In every aspect of their lives, aging boomers want more than comfort and prestige, the traditional marketing assumption. They want style.

Active aging.
The 50+ population is the fastest growing segment worldwide. They are living longer, they are more educated, and are much more active than previous generations in all areas of life - work, learning, leisure, travel, sports, artistic expression. They are demanding technologies and public policies that support "active aging." They represent a "disruptive demographic" and a huge and expanding opportunity for business innovation.

Yet we have not even begun to think about the physical infrastructure of an aging society. How will we get around? Where will we live? How will we continue to learn? What does it mean to have an aging workforce? Joseph Coughlin is answering these questions.

MIT AgeLab
The AgeLab was created to invent new ideas and creatively translate technologies into practical solutions that improve people's health and enable them to "do things" throughout their life. This global and multi-disciplinary partnership between MIT, industry and the aging community is collaborating todesign, develop and deploy innovations that improve quality of life for our elders and support for their caregivers.