Today is Grandma's Day. Tomorrow is Grandfather's Day. On the occasion of these holidays, we have prepared an article for you about an interesting innovation for seniors – Torba Borba (Borba Bag).
Europe is aging fast
Data on the age of Europeans are not optimistic. According to Eurostat calculations, half of European citizens are over 44 years old. The Irish, Spanish, Italians and Slovaks age the fastest. The average age in Europe has increased by 10 years since 1960 and by 2.5 years since 2012. Poles are aging faster than the EU average. Since 2012, the median age in our country has increased by 3.5 years. The Statistics Poland and Eurostat unanimously forecast that the population in Poland will decline at least until the middle of the decade.
This situation is unfavorable for various reasons, primarily social and economic, e.g. increased pressure on the pension system. On the one hand, European countries are taking various actions to increase the fertility rate, i.e. to bring results in the future. On the other hand, they have to deal with the challenges that arise here and now.
Torba Borba (photo: Ewa Hiller)
One of such challenges is ensuring a decent life for seniors. According to the Statistics Poland, there are almost 10 million people aged 60+ in Poland (28% of the socjety). Two years ago it was over 25%. According to the forecasts of the Statistics Poland, in 2050, people 60+ will constitute 40% of the Polish population, i.e. 14 million people.
An idea straight from Erasmus
Designer Ewa Hiller, together with several other people, decided to create an innovation for seniors. This is Torba Borba - a shopping trolley with an electric motor for older people.
The idea was born in 2016. Ewa Hiller was with her friend Magda Katana on an Erasmus scholarship at the University of Design in Schwäbisch Gmünd. One of their tasks was to design an object with an electric motor. It was then that the idea of creating an electrically powered shopping bag was born.
The invention already has quite a rich history. The first model was created as part of the Innovation Generator run by Association of Creative Initiatives “ę”. In December 2021 the company Design Team, signed an agreement with the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development for co-financing the project from the Norway Grants.
Project team in action (photo: Ewa Hiller)
Product tested on humans
Thanks to the funding, it was possible to create the final design of the bag, produce and test it in Norway in senior centers and stores.
"The results showed us one thing: the Scandinavian market is ready to support the senior economy. People 60+ are active, eager to enjoy life and focused on being independent for as long as possible. Torba Borba perfectly fits these needs" - says Torba Borba Facebook profile.
Seniors can easily carry twelve-kilogram purchases in the Torba Borba, and the electric motor helps them overcome obstacles and climb stairs. The bag has an adjustable height, so the user does not have to bend down when taking things out and putting them in. There is also an application for smartphones that allows you to manage your bags. This is a great convenience that can be used, for example, by senior centres. Torba Borba can also be simply purchased by individual customers.
Torba Borba in action (photo: Ewa Hiller)
"We will develop this business" - declares Ewa Hiller.
The project "TORBA BORBA - Eco-friendly cart with electric drive to assist shopping by the elderly" received funding from the Norway Grants under the Business Development and Innovation programme. The funding amount is PLN 849,931.50.Project website in English:
Visit project website in English or Facebook profile in Polish.