RESEARCH :: e-Inclusion :: Research – Projects for older people
Research – Projects for older people
Helping Europe’s growing elderly population to stay active for longer is a key goal of EU-funded research to support the Information Society. The Action Plan on Ageing Well in the Information Society lays down a new strategy to ensure elderly people get the most out of digital technologies – at home and at work. Meanwhile, the EU Framework Programmes for research have already supported projects that explore and develop the ways in which ICTs can meet the needs and maximise the potential of older people.
Examples of Commission-backed projects relating to ICT and older people include the following:
Easy Line+: Low-cost advanced white goods for a longer independent life for elderly people
White goods such as washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and freezers make life easier for millions of Europeans. But what if someone’s ability to use such products is compromised due to physical or cognitive problems related to their age? The Easy Line+ project aims to develop near-to-market prototypes of advanced white goods that will help older people live independently for longer. The project examines the use of sensors, neural networks and assistive software to produce control systems for white goods that older people will find easy to use. http://www.easylineplus.com
Vital: Vital assistance for the elderly
Vital aims to develop technologies, applications and platforms that will provide remote assistance products for older people. To do this, Vital promises to examine a whole range of technologies that cover issues such as computing on the move, location sensing, natural speech processing, digital TV and video, and mobile telephony. Vital seeks to provide a total package to elderly users, allowing them to access advice, assistance, information, education and entertainment services both inside and outside their home environments. http://www.ist-vital.org/
Elder Games: Development of high therapeutic value IST-based games for monitoring and improving the quality of life of elderly people
Elder Games will devise interactive computer games specifically to improve the cognitive skills of older people. The project developers also believe that the Elder Games platform will be the first of its type, able to monitor cognitive health and welfare issues. This should allow for early detection of cognitive diseases or problems related to social integration and well being. http://www.eldergames.eu/
eSangathan: Collaborative ageing environment for ageing workforce
In Europe, old age can mean an end to working life. Yet in India, many an older retiree is considered to be a ‘national treasure’ or Sangathan because of their great experience. Through the exchange of experience, this project aims to foster European competitiveness by maximising the older generation’s contribution to the workplace. It will also improve the quality of life of India’s older workers by introducing them to innovative ICT products and services that are now being used in Europe. http://www.esangathan.eu/
Mpower: Middleware platform for empowering cognitive disabled and elderly people
This project aims to devise ways to simplify and speed up the development and use of support services for helping older people and those with cognitive disabilities live full and active lives. The MPower platform will make it easier for the IT industry to develop integrated ICT applications for the target group. In particular, the project will support the use of smart homes technology and look into ways of making information management systems safe and secure. http://www.sintef.no/mpower
Persona: Perceptive spaces promoting independent ageing
Persona aims to harmonise Ambient Assisted Living Technologies (AAL) in a bid to develop sustainable and affordable services that will support the social inclusion of older people, while allowing them to live independently for longer. In its search for easy-to-use, integrated technologies, Persona’s technology platform will harness and assess a range of ICTs, including smart textiles, tele-services, bio-sensors, display devices and intelligent software tools. http://www.aal-persona.org/Soprano: Service-oriented programmable smart environments for older Europeans
The project is committed to designing and developing innovative ICT-based services that have interfaces which older people will feel comfortable using. The aim is to meet the needs not just of older users, but also of their families and care providers. The Soprano system will integrate assistive technologies designed for older people with smart home technology and tele-care services. http://www.soprano-ip.org
WAI-AGE: Web Accessibility Initiative – Ageing, Education and Harmonisation
This project seeks to gain a better understanding of the needs of older internet users. Its findings will inform new web accessibility guidelines under Wai-Age and provide relevant work groups with information about what support the elderly require to become more engaged with the world wide web. The project will also develop educational resources for the ICT industry and organisations representing older people, while promoting the harmonisation of web accessibility solutions. http://www.w3.org/WAI/WAI-AGE/
Netcarity: a Networked multi-sensor system for elderly people – health care, safety and security in the home environment
The project is investigating how new and existing technologies can be integrated cost effectively into people’s homes. It is developing and testing new technology, including systems to enhance communication with friends, family and carers. The aim is to support day-to-day living and promote a sense of social inclusion. http://www.netcarity.org/
AALIANCE: European Ambient Assisted Living Innovation Alliance
Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions based on advanced ICT technologies for the areas of ageing at work, at home and in society. The aim of the project is to provide a framework for stakeholders to define strategic research and development priorities for AAL and to provide a roadmap to ensure adequate focus of the research funding, particularly for FP7 and activities launched by EU Member States in the context of the AAL Joint Programme (Article 169 initiative).
OASIS: Open Architecture for Accessible Services Integration and Standardisation
The aim of the project is to revolutionise the interoperability, quality, breadth and usability of services for all daily activities of the elderly. 12 different types of services are connected through the OASIS System, covering user needs in terms of Independent Living Applications (nutritional advisor, activity coach, brain and skills trainers, social communities platform, health monitoring and environmental control.
Hermes: Cognitive care and guidance for active ageing
Integrated approach to cognitive care through an assistive technology that combines the functional skills of the older person to reduce age-related decline of cognitive capabilities. Based on intelligent audio and visual processing and reasoning, the project results in a combination of a home-based and mobile device to support the user’s cognitive state and prevent cognitive decline. http://www.fp7-hermes.eu
Last update: 02/02/2012
