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Project information

Rural communities across much of Europe are facing a critical challenge: as populations age and urban migration accelerates, essential services are disappearing from villages. For many residents, particularly the elderly and those with limited mobility, accessing a doctor, buying groceries, or participating in community life now requires long, difficult journeys. This leads not only to unmet medical needs but also to increased social isolation and a gradual decline in local resilience.

This project proposes a holistic solution: a modular, autonomous system of mobile service capsules that circulate through rural villages on a rotating schedule. Each capsule is designed for a specific purpose—healthcare, groceries, education, or social services—allowing communities to regain access to vital amenities without the need for permanent infrastructure or daily travel. The system is built on a flexible platform (U-Shift Driveboard) developed in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which allows for quick swapping of different service modules (Capsules).

Carita, the healthcare capsule, serves as a detailed example of how this modular system can directly address the most urgent needs in rural areas. Carita is a fully equipped, barrier-free mobile clinic that brings medical care directly to the village square. By focusing on both technological innovation and human-centered design, Carita demonstrates the transformative potential of mobile, modular services and moving spaces to restore dignity, independence, and well-being to rural populations.

The project followed a comprehensive, user-centered design process, integrating ethnographic research, co-creation, and iterative prototyping to ensure solutions were grounded in real-world needs and practical constraints.

1. Contextual and Ethnographic Research:

The project began with in-depth fieldwork in rural Germany and Sweden, including interviews and workshops with residents, healthcare professionals, and local officials. These sessions revealed not only logistical barriers to healthcare but also emotional challenges: feelings of abandonment, loss of independence, and a longing for renewed community connection.

2. Persona Development and Storytelling:

Insights from research were distilled into detailed personas representing key user groups, such as elderly residents with mobility issues, caregivers, and visiting healthcare workers. Storytelling techniques were used to map out typical user journeys, highlighting pain points and opportunities for design intervention.

3. Co-Creation Workshops:

Workshops were held at public events, in rural communities and with fellow designers, where participants interacted with early prototypes, shared feedback on service needs, and helped define the desired atmosphere and features of the capsules. This participatory approach ensured that the design responded to both practical and emotional needs.

4. Technical Collaboration and Prototyping:

The Project was developed in close collaboration the DLR. Multiple rounds of prototyping were conducted, including scale models, VR simulations, and full-scale mockups. These allowed for continuous testing of spatial layouts, accessibility, and user experience.

5. Iterative Design and Validation:

Feedback from users and experts was used to refine both the system concept and the detailed design of the Carita capsule. Special attention was paid to accessibility, workflow for healthcare providers, integration of telemedicine technology, and the creation of a welcoming, trust-inspiring environment.

The outcome is a robust, scalable system for delivering essential services to rural communities, exemplified by the Carita healthcare capsule.

System Overview:

The modular system uses autonomous Driveboards to transport specialized service capsules on a rotating schedule to designated village hubs. This approach maximizes resource efficiency and ensures regular, predictable access to vital services without the need for permanent facilities in every village.

Carita - The Healthcare Capsule:

Carita is a fully accessible, mobile healthcare space designed to provide first-line medical care, diagnostics, and telemedicine consultations. The space is divided into zones for registration, waiting, entering, examination & treatment, and private nurse workspace. Features include barrier-free entry, adaptable seating, advanced medical equipment, and smart windows that double as screens for telemedicine or calming visuals. The design emphasizes hygiene, comfort, and privacy, with materials chosen for both clinical safety and a welcoming atmosphere.

Carita operates with a trained nurse on board, who provides hands-on care and assists patients in connecting remotely to different kinds of doctors via secure telemedicine links. This hybrid model addresses both the need for physical examination and the growing potential of digital healthcare. By eliminating travel barriers, Carita enables elderly and mobility-impaired residents to receive timely, dignified care in their own communities.

Wider Impact:

Beyond healthcare, the modular system can be expanded to include other service capsules—such as mobile grocery stores, libraries, or classrooms—tailored to the evolving needs of each community. These service capsules become a social event, revitalizing village life and fostering new forms of connection and support.

Conclusion:

By combining cutting-edge technology with deep empathy for users, this project demonstrates a scalable, sustainable model for restoring essential services to rural areas. Carita, as the first healthcare capsule, not only bridges the gap in medical provision but also serves as a catalyst for broader rural renewal—empowering residents, strengthening communities, and setting a new standard for inclusive, resilient rural living.