The housing market is in a free fall and consumers are snapping wallets shut, but home appliance makers are taking advantage of the moment to re-tool with new products targeting the coming growth market in aging baby boomer customers. The Wall Street Journal reports that big manufacturers like General Electric, Siemens and Whirlpool all are designing next-general products that embrace universal design principles:

In the kitchen, General Electric Co. is designing ovens with easier-to-open doors and automatic shut-off burners. A joint venture of Germany’s Bosch and Siemens AG has introduced a glass cook top for its premium Thermador brand designed to prevent boil-overs. In the bathroom, Moen is trumpeting new grab bars that can support a 350-pound person, and Kohler is devising easier-to-handle faucet levers. Minnesota-based Truth Hardware reports booming sales for its remote-controlled window motors.

The Journal also mentions efforts by automotive companies, including Ford and Nissan, to design cars for older consumers.

American companies are coming around to the importance of universal design. But during my recent visit to Japan for the Silver Market Phenomenon conference, I was struck by just how far ahead Japanese companies–and consumers–have moved in this area. One presenter at the conference cited research indicating 75 percent of Japanese consumers are aware of universal design principles, and most major companies there already are integrating U.D. ideas into their products.