As household appliances around us become increasingly "smart," improving people's quality of life, they also leave some elderly people at a loss. For example, some elderly people who want to find a traditional pressure cooker without electronic buttons can no longer find one in offline stores; some water heaters suddenly "talk" for no reason, giving people a fright... (see the Beijing Evening News, March 11)

　　With the continuous advancement of technologies such as mobile internet and artificial intelligence, many household appliances have entered the "smart home" arena, bringing new experiences to many consumers. But for some elderly consumers, everyday items like pots and pans, once they become associated with "smart" features, seem to become unfamiliar, and even "barrier-free cooking" has become a luxury.

　　Intelligence is one of the trends in the development of household appliances, and it is understandable that appliance companies pursue smart features for differentiated competition. But one reality that should be faced squarely is that China has about 300 million elderly people, and as aging deepens, this number may grow further. Many elderly people, affected by factors such as their knowledge structure, living habits, and ability to adapt to new things, are not comfortable with smart appliances. For example, smart TV remote controls have too many buttons, trapping many elderly viewers. Helping elderly people live "easily" should not be a difficult problem.

　　To respond to the wave of aging and enhance the well-being of the elderly, the "14th Five-Year Plan" National Plan for the Development of Undertakings for the Elderly and the Elderly Care Service System proposes "building a smart society that takes into account the needs of the elderly." In the field of household appliances, national standards such as the "Age-Friendly Technology for Smart Household Appliances," the "Architecture Model of Smart Home Appliance Systems for Elderly Life Assistance," and the "General Technical Requirements for Household Appliances Suitable for the Elderly" have been issued successively.

　　Nevertheless, there is still a considerable gap between the age-friendly level of smart appliances and the expectations of the elderly. Before smart appliances truly become age-friendly, it is very important to first ensure the production and supply of some older appliance models. Although many standards on age-friendly smart appliances have been issued, transforming them into age-friendly products still requires a process, and during the transition period, the consumer needs of the elderly must not be ignored.

　　In an aging society, the "silver economy" trend is surging. For relevant industries, the earlier they develop and produce products that meet the needs of the elderly, the more likely they are to secure a firm foothold in the market. This principle is not hard to understand. It is hoped that relevant enterprises can re-examine their market positioning and competitive strategies and turn the opportunities and pressures of the "silver economy" into brand competitiveness. According to the Work Plan for Promoting the High-Quality Development of Age-Friendly Digital Technology issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, by the end of 2025, more than 100 smart products with age-friendly features will be launched, covering multiple categories such as mobile phones and televisions. This is undoubtedly something to look forward to.

　　What kind of smart home products do elderly people actually need? How can truly age-friendly products be developed? These questions are worth pondering.