Ageing poses one of the biggest economic and social challenges for this century. It is estimated that by 2025, more than 20% of Europeans will be 65 or over . To respond to the potential challenges that ageing presents for the future and to ensure that the necessary framework is in place to help Europe take advantage of the opportunities that the sector can provide, the European Commission (EC) has invested a great deal of resources into research and innovation (R&I) projects in this field. But what has this investment brought us?
In order to answer this question, Outsight (a European research and consultancy company) has developed a study for the European Commission on the top 25 most influential ICT projects related to active and healthy ageing.
The 25 projects (in alphabetical order) are the following:
- ACCOMPANY has advanced robotics for rehabilitation;
- Beyond Silos has delivered integrated care in 7 European regions;
- Carewell has delivered integrated care for frail elderly patients;
- CARER+ has equipped carers facing new challenges in the digital age;
- DEM@CARE has enabled dementia monitoring;
- eWALL has delivered an innovative home environment;
- FARSEEING has created a repository enabling research into the nature of falling;
- FATE has validated a digital solution for fall detection;
- GIRAFF+ has delivered a home monitoring solution and telepresence robot;
- GrowMeUp has developed a smart learning robot, while working together with seniors and listening to their needs. They also explored innovative cloud-computing technologies;
- I-DON’T’T-FALL offers a range of tools for fall prevention;
- INCA has developed a cloud platform for continuation of care, less hospitalisations and greater efficiency, now implemented in seven EU countries;
- inCASA has created and demonstrated technologies and a services network that help protect frail elderly people and prolong the time they can live well in their own homes;
- iStopFalls has developed and implemented a system to predict and prevent falls, including exercise games;
- I-SUPPORT has provided service robotics for bathing tasks;
- PERSSILAA: multiple services addressing frailty;
- IN LIFE has implemented a range of innovative solutions and services improving elderly care;
- LONG LASTING MEMORIES has validated a unified solution for better cognitive and physical health;
- MARIO has established that service/companion robots are accepted as part of social care for people with dementia and have an important role to play in combatting loneliness and isolation;
- RADIO: smart home/assistant robot system;
- ROBOT-ERA has implemented and demonstrated the general feasibility, scientific/technical effectiveness and social/legal plausibility and acceptability of advanced robotic services;
- SILVER offers a mobile personal assistant in the shape of a walker that can help with daily routines and housekeeping;
- SOCIABLE provides an easy to use and fun cognitive training solution. Medical experts can use it for structuring and keeping track of cognitive training sessions;
- STOP AND GO made innovative care and cure solutions mainstream in Spain, the UK and the Netherlands;
- UNIVERSAAL: showroom and meeting point for Ambient Assisted Living services and companies.
The study results will now be used for the further development of priorities under the EU Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 1 "Health, demographic change and wellbeing" and as input for the further implementation of the policy initiative on a 21st century blueprint of digital solutions for AHA.
The full report can be accessible at this link
