How Design Can Improve Healthcare: Exclusive Interview with Yves Behar

Yves Behar, an industrial designer and founder of design firm fuseproject, believes that the adoption of new ideas and the pace of change in health care can be slow compared to other innovations that consumers experience every day. He notes that people often feel frustrated when comparing their experiences in clinics and hospitals to the seamless consumer experience they may have at an Apple Store.

Behar’s belief in the positive impact of design on people’s lives has led him to focus on “designing for extreme audiences,” such as children, the elderly, neurodivergent, and mobility-impaired individuals. He emphasizes that design is most crucial when faced with extreme changes in life, rather than just addressing the comfortable middle part when people are happy, healthy, and financially stable.

One example of this approach is Moxie, an AI learning robot companion designed for autistic and neurodivergent children that has proven to be beneficial for all kids, especially during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since its launch in 2022, Moxie has engaged in over 4 million conversations with children, leading to reported improvements in social skills for those who regularly interact with it.

Another notable invention by fuseproject and Behar is the SNOO robotic bassinet, which mimics pediatrician Harvey Karp’s soothing techniques for babies using swaddling, shushing, and swinging. The AI in the bassinet detects when a baby is fussing or crying and responds by creating calming noises and movements. This innovation has received FDA approval for its ability to keep babies sleeping safely on their backs and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Behar considers these two creations as some of his favorite because they have had a significant impact on improving people’s lives through design thinking. The article featuring these innovations appears in the July/August 2024 issue of WIRED UK magazine.