Stefan Geisler, Justyna Sedkowska

• In order to ensure that new technological advancements are inclusive, it is essential to understand and empathize with the diverse life situations and needs of various user groups. The participatory design (PD) approach is particularly effective in capturing these needs and democratizing the technology development process. Modern PD methods actively involve potential users, external stakeholders, and non-designer team members. Thus, it is important to identify engaging tools and methods suitable for diverse participants. This paper examines the use of serious play methods with PLAYMOBIL®. It presents the authors’ experiences with integrating serious play methods with PLAYMOBIL® in future mobility research. The findings indicate that, despite some challenges, this approach effectively promotes diversity and inclusion in user research, offering valuable insights into the needs and concerns of various user groups.