High Tech Does Not Necessarily Mean High Electronics

Last week, delegates from the world’s leading micro- and nanotechnology regions convened at the 16th World Micromachine Summit in Dortmund, Germany. The last day of the summit focussed on Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and started with a presentation by Hartmut Strese of the VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH (Berlin, Germany) on AAL Funding in the framework programme of microsystems technology in Germany. AAL aims to extend the time older people can live in their preferred home environment by increasing their autonomy, assisting them in carrying out daily activities. This can be achieved by using speech recognition software, information and communication technologies, microsystems such as sensors and actuators, embedded systems and other technologies to ensure that drugs are taken as intended or to prevent or detect falls. However, the needs of the elderly have to be taken into consideration when applying these technologies, says Strese. “The elderly don’t like gadgets,” he says.

Strese says that AAL has to compensate for (age-related) deficiencies – if possible – without stigmatising. “It is not about products for seniors, but about new products and services [that take into account] the wishes and demands of elderly people,” he explains. New products should also consider “old” habits of the user and should have an appropriate design. “Simple and intuitive handling is required and the new living environment should not generate new risks,” Strese says.

Tags: Ambient Assistant Living, World Micromachine Summit