Abstract: Under the smart pension service model, we explore strategies and methods for interactive
design of intelligent products for the elderly, by using compensatory mechanisms to achieve affinity
matching between technical products and the elderly. First of all, we analyze the new elderly’s
different characteristics and higher needs for information compared to the traditional elderly who
don’t use so many technical products, and discuss the interaction barriers of intelligent products for
the elderly. Then, the theory of sensory compensation design is introduced, and the methods of
perception-oriented functional cognition, utility-oriented behavioral interaction and
interaction-oriented emotional experience for the elderly are proposed based on the levels of products
use. Application of several compensatory methods, including multi-sensory compensation,
psychological compensation, exercise assistance and other compensation methods is to optimize
people-machine interaction performance, which enables the elderly to use the intelligent products
easily and happily and to achieve the mutual progress of technology and humanities.

Key words: sensory compensation, intelligent product, interactive design, suitable for the elderly