Simple mobile technology for seniors

Melbourne based tech startup, KISA, launched the simple, easy to use mobile phone for those that struggle with modern technology.

The phone possesses personalised large tactile buttons, clear text, emergency contacts, no screen and the ability to call friends and family with a single press of a button.

Dmitry Levin, Dennis Volodomanov and Leon Kosher, cofounders of KISA, were inspired to create the ‘easy to use’ phone when seeing their family struggle to make a simple phone call on a modern mobile phone.

“Even the simplest mobile phones on the market assume something about the user; they assume that they already know how to, or are capable of, using digital menus, touch screen interfaces, audio commands, or even at the most basic level, they assume the user can read. We set out to make a mobile phone that assumes close to nothing,” Mr Levin says.

The design of the KISA phone started by creating models using 3D printers, following extensive consultation with community organisations such as Vision Australia and Guide Dogs Victoria.

“To achieve our goal we had to design a phone that had no screen and only required a single button to call contacts,” Mr Levin says.

“We personalise every KISA phone before shipment with up to 10 dedicated contact buttons that take up the face of the phone,” he adds.

Each KISA phone can have customers’ critical medical information and emergency contact numbers customised in large font on the rear. The phone also has a large SOS button that immediately dials emergency services if pressed.

Mr Kosher claims while other telcos continue to confuse mobile phone users with exclusions, flagfalls and caps, KISA’s plans are expressed in minutes, with reportedly no ‘lock in’ contracts.

Bruce Maguire, Vision Australia policy and public affairs advisor, commends the KISA phone team for seeking input to improve accessibility for people who are blind or those living with low vision.

Steve Hurd, Guide Dogs Victoria, agrees it is fantastic to see a product developed in consultation with blind and vision impaired people, rather than “dictate what [they] should have”.

Find out more information about the KISA mobile phone.