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Research Article

Research on Elderly-Oriented Design of Pet Travel Products Based on Embodied Cognition Theory

Fengyi PanGuohao School of Tongji University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective Aiming at the physical imbalance and safety risks caused by pets' sudden rushing when elderly users use traditional pet walking products, this paper analyzes the cognitive characteristics and usage demands of elderly users based on embodied cognition theory. It proposes elderly-oriented design strategies for pet travel products, so as to ensure the safety of the elderly when going out with pets and improve their well-being of keeping pets. Methods Firstly, scenario observation, user interview and other methods were adopted to conduct user journey analysis on the whole process of the elderly going out with pets, and systematically sort out user demands. Secondly, based on embodied cognition theory, this paper summarized the physiological perception and movement feedback characteristics of the elderly in the behaviors of going out with pets, and analyzed and classified travel demands. Finally, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to quantitatively evaluate the weight of each user demand and determine the priority of user demands. On this basis, the elderly-oriented design principles for such products were put forward. Conclusion Understanding and analyzing the core demands of the elderly when going out with pets from the perspective of embodied cognition and proposing elderly-oriented design principles for pet travel products can provide reference ideas and practical paths for the design of similar products.

Keywords: Product Design; Elderly-oriented Design; Embodied Cognition; AHP
Published: June 29, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.34835
Volume: CHR Vol.111
pp. 261-277
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