Design Map · Eindhoven
Walkey
Graduation project by Amy van Zutphen at Design Academy Eindhoven, 2026. Shown during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven on Design Map, location F5.
A walker is a mobility aid that supports those with difficulty walking or maintaining balance. With the traditional walker as a starting point, Amy van Zutphen created 'Walkey,’ designed for active elders who want to live independently. While working in a retirement home, Amy learned that many seniors avoid walkers to prevent being seen as old or sick. Residents like Corrie and Gerard shared how stigma around walkers affects their confidence, inspiring Amy to design one that preserves dignity. Walkey combines sleek, luminescent lines with an automatic braking system, shifting from medical device to lifestyle object. It keeps elderly visible, safe and confident, merging function with aesthetics in a walker they can be proud of.