Senior research assistant on the Enabilise project, Dr Eliza de Vet, said the ultimate aim was to develop and trial new prototypes to improve the lives of people aged over 55 with mobility problems.

"In this first stage of the project we will be running 10 focus groups with individuals with mobility issues as well as carers, allied health professionals, managers of aged care and disability services and manufacturers and distributors," she said.

"We will try and nut down the gaps in the current market and look at how we can improve the lives of older Australians by developing new assistive mobility aids that increase their independence in and around the home, and beyond.

"Australia has a big ageing population - a quarter of the population are 55 plus - and aged care services are already stretched so it's important we start looking at having systems and equipment in place to allow older people to have an improved quality of life."

The Enabilise project is funded by UOW's Global Challenges and is being run in conjunction with AusIndustry, Aged and Community Services NSW/ACT and the Illawarra Forum.

AusIndustry regional innovation facilitator Leanne Taylor said the project was an area opportunity.

"It provides a forum for the region's businesses and manufacturers to innovate solutions that meet real needs," she said.

Participants are needed to take part in the focus groups, which start on May 29. To register contact 4239 2238 or globalchallenges@uow.edu.au.