Georg Edelmayer

First user test results with the Predictive Typing system FASTY

This paper gives a brief overview about the partially EU funded project IST-2000-25420 FASTY in the IST program. The objective of FASTY was the creation of a system for increasing the text generation rate of disabled persons by Predictive Typing and dedicated advanced input devices. The system was developed for the Dutch, French, German, and Swedish language, the concept, however, is useable for most European languages. Some results from the user tests with the first prototype during the year 2003 are shown herein and were used to build the second and last prototype. A commercial version of the FASTY software is expected to be available in the second half of 2004.

User Acceptance of a Mobile LED Projector on a Socially Assistive Robot

A prototype of a LED projector module mounted on and carried by the humanoid robot NAO was iteratively developed in the KSERA project. It offers an additional visual information channel for the users (text, graphic, and video) by being able to come to the user where ever they are. Several mock ups were built to explore advantages and challenges of the mobile projector solution. Ten users, comprising six older persons and four experts from the care domain participated in laboratory tests to explore the user acceptance and expected usefulness. The novel projector solution was also compared with already existing solutions such as stationary screens. It could be shown that the novel solution of the mobile projector was well accepted bringing added value from the points of view of older persons as well as care experts. Challenges remain regarding suitable surfaces needed for projection and the currently limited brightness.

Investigations to Develop a Fully Adjustable Intelligent Toilet for Supporting Old People and Persons with Disabilities - The Friendly Rest Room (FRR) Project

The FRR (Friendly Rest Room) project creates and evaluates prototypes of a more user friendly intelligent toilet for old persons and for persons with disabilities. Additionally, applicable knowledge regarding needs and wishes of old and/or disabled persons and their care persons are documented. In this paper the user driven research approach, ethical aspects and the iterative user centred design process are outlined. First results from user tests of lighting, human computer interface and preferred seating heights are described.

A Laboratory for AAL Applications

For development, demonstration and testing of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) applications a research laboratory was set up. It consists of three rooms, where the central room provides four areas (kitchen, living room, eating, sleeping) and is furnished in a way similar to real home settings. The concept and methodological approaches are described and discussed. First experiences from usage of the laboratory in the framework of concrete AAL projects are described.

Wearable device to assist independent living

Abstract Older people increasingly want to remain living independently in their own homes. The aim of the ENABLE project is to develop a wearable device that can be used to support older people in their daily lives and which can monitor their health status, detect potential problems, provide activity reminders and offer communication and alarm services. In order to determine the specifications and functionality required for the development of the device, user surveys and focus groups were undertaken, use case analysis and scenario modeling carried out. The project has resulted in the development of a wrist-worn device and mobile phone combination that can support and assist older and vulnerable wearers with a range of activities and services both inside their home and as they move around their local environment. The device is currently undergoing pilot trials in five European countries. The aim of this paper is to describe the ENABLE device, its features and services, and the infrastructure within which it operates.

Mobile Video Phone Communication Carried by a NAO Robot

In the project “Knowledgeable SErvice Robots for Aging” (KSERA) an AAL system with a socially assistive robot (SAR) for old persons and persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been developed. One of the elements of the system is a LED-projector module carried by the small humanoid NAO robot. This module is used as additional output element to extend the human–machine-interface by projecting text, graphics and videos on walls next to the user. As relevant use case, focus is on mobile video communication with family members, friends and also with service centres and medical authorities. Laboratory tests with the prototype by end users and a workshop with experts from the care domain were done. Results show the relevance of this solution for AAL applications, in particular for social communication and in emergency cases.

ENABLE --- A View on User's Needs

The ENABLE project, which is partly funded by the European Commission, aims to assist elderly people to live well, independently and at ease. In this project a wrist unit with both integrated and external sensors, and with a radio frequency link to a mobile phone, will be developed. ENABLE will provide a number of services for elderly people, among them also a remote control service for the home environment. This paper briefly describes the project in general and then focuses on the initial user needs investigation which was carried out in early 2007 in six different European countries. The provisional findings are discussed and an outlook on the ongoing and future project work is given. A special focus of this paper is on the environmental control service.

EU Project SILC - Personal Bio-Sensor Based Alarm System

The aim of the project SILC (Supporting Independently Living Citizens) is to prolong the quality of life of older and infirm people by postponing the need for institutionalization. To achieve this aim, the consortium is investigating the feasibility, and develop working prototypes, of a portable wrist-worn life-signs monitor and communications link, giving the user the ability and confidence to continue to live in the community longer. The device will intelligently monitor the well being of the user and report alarms in the event of problems being detected. It will also permit two-way conversations with care providers, initiated either by the user or by the care provider. In this paper a general introduction and a status report on the development of the first prototypes will be given.

EMU – a european multilingual text prediction software

EMU is a program that supports disabled people to write text faster and/or with less physical load. The program was developed based on knowledge of the outcome of the R&D project IST-2000-25420 FASTY. This paper shows how the commercially available program EMU was developed with special attention to the test results with the final prototype coming from the EC project