Wooden Compass for Dementia Orientation: How Aumens Uses Design to Restore Direction and Autonomy

A Wooden Compass Designed for Dementia Orientation

The wooden compass for dementia orientation, developed by Aumens, begins with a problem that is both practical and deeply human: people living with dementia often lose their sense of direction, even in places they know well.

A short walk to a nearby store can suddenly become disorienting or dangerous — not because the environment has changed, but because spatial orientation has.

The wooden compass was designed with a single, focused purpose: guide the user safely home. Nothing more, nothing less.

This clarity of intention shaped every design decision. From the beginning, the team deliberately rejected screens, maps, menus, notifications, and complex interfaces.

Designing Without Screens: Following the Arrow

Instead of relying on digital abstraction, the wooden compass centers on one continuous physical instruction: follow the arrow.

The device provides a clear visual arrow combined with gentle vibration and sound cues.

These signals are not alarms or alerts. They act as calm reminders, encouraging users to look at or hold the device when needed.

Research led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Rens Brankaert demonstrates that people with dementia respond far better to simple, tangible cues than to layered digital information. The wooden compass for dementia orientation translates navigation into an intuitive, bodily action — reducing cognitive load and stress.

Co-Designing With People Living With Dementia

Aumens developed the wooden compass through an extensive co-design process with over 100 users, including people living with dementia, their partners, family members, and caregivers.

The project went through multiple prototype phases. Devices were tested, rejected, simplified, and tested again. A three-month pilot involved 30 people using the wooden compass daily, integrating it into their everyday routines.

One of the strongest indicators of success came at the end of the pilot: participants were reluctant to return the device. For the design team, this response confirmed that the wooden compass had become more than a tool — it had become a trusted companion.

Materiality and Calm Technology

The choice of wood is central to the project’s philosophy. Unlike plastic or glass devices associated with smartphones and medical equipment, the wooden compass feels warm, familiar, and non-clinical.

This material decision reinforces the project’s core values:

• calm interaction instead of constant stimulation

• physical presence instead of screen dependency

• reassurance rather than surveillance

The wooden compass for dementia orientation avoids visual clutter and technological intimidation, allowing users to focus on movement, direction, and confidence.

From Prototype to Public Release

Aumens plans to officially launch the wooden compass in 2026. The product will be supported by a subscription model that includes:

• device connectivity

• a caregiver application

• ongoing updates and improvements

Importantly, the compass remains user-centered. The technology operates quietly in the background, supporting orientation without demanding attention or interaction.

The wooden compass for dementia orientation demonstrates how design can restore autonomy without overwhelming the user. By stripping navigation down to its essence — direction, movement, reassurance — Aumens reframes assistive technology as something humane, material, and calm.

Rather than adding more information, the project removes complexity. In doing so, it shows how thoughtful design can transform care into dignity, and technology into trust.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a visual designer whose work blends clarity, rhythm, and storytelling. Between Berlin and Lisbon, he creates across print, motion, branding, and immersive 3D environments.