Digital musical instrument designed to combat isolation and boost motor skills in older adults

A Loughborough University student has designed a digital instrument to empower older adults through music.

Alex Gunning, who recently graduated with a degree in Product Design and Technology, designed “Sonare’—a portable, all-in-one musical instrument and teaching tool for older adults—as part of his final year project.

Unlike traditional instruments that rely on fine motor skills and physical strength, Sonare offers a lightweight, ergonomic design. Users can tap or swipe to trigger sounds, enabling collaborative and solo play without the strain of heavy keys or strings.

Alex’s design is rooted in empathy and research, addressing the physical, social, and financial barriers that often prevent older adults from learning music. He found that up to 43% of older adults experience social isolation—a challenge often intensified by limited mobility or living alone—and group music-making activities have been shown to offer significant mental health benefits in these contexts.

On his inspiration behind Sonare, Alex said, “Members of my family aged 70 and over have experienced difficulties playing instruments, and some have had to give up entirely. Other members aged over 60 never learned, and I was eager to learn why.”

He noted that traditional musical instruments can be physically demanding, requiring fine motor skills and strength that many older adults, particularly the nearly one-third of over 60’s who live with osteoarthritis, may find difficult or painful to manage.

Additionally, affordability and ease of use emerged as crucial factors. Many older adults live on fixed incomes, so designing a single, low-cost device that integrates sound, looping, and recording functions eliminates the need for expensive computers or software, allowing music-making to be more accessible and inclusive.

Sonare features three core modes: Solo Play, Local Group Play and Virtual Jam. Built-in speakers, adaptive difficulty, and personalized feedback make individual learning accessible and rewarding, while online features support community and collaboration.

Alex has prototyped elements of Sonare and his long-term goal is to bring the design to market as an affordable, user-friendly musical instrument that promotes lifelong creativity, social connection, and emotional well-being among older adults worldwide.

Further information on Sonare and other final year projects can be found on the Loughborough University Degree Show website.