Project: Autonomous Object Taxi and Handler for Handicapped and Elderly persons
In the last century, lifetime expectancy in European countries has shown a strong growth, so that in a few decades the (medical) care of the enlarged aging population will face a shortage in health care workers. For the active and not very impaired part of the older population, new technologies for home use can be an essential solution, resulting in longer, more independent life at home. Nowadays the focus off assistive independent living technologies is more on ICT based solutions enabling management of chronic conditions, social interaction and communication. However, development of personal and assisting robotics to support independent more basal daily living activities, like eating, personal hygiene or grooming will reduce the needed care significantly and will increase the self-confidence level of elderly, far more that the ICT-based technologies alone. _x000D_Increasingly older people are left on their own. This is a trend found around the world, but most pronounced in Northern Europe. Over half of the elderly people in Denmark live on their own, over 40 % in Germany and Sweden, and between 30% and 40 % in most western countries. This trend is more common among women and in most Western countries. It represents a huge social change which has taken place at high speed. Families have been fragmented. The number of older people who live in the same household as their children has been declining in every country. More ready acceptance of divorce weakens family values further and may reduce the ties between elderly people and their adult children. As old age is strongly correlated with the occurrence of disability changes in housing situations and the weakening of family ties will, therefore, lead to heavier demands for long-term care and advances in assistive technology._x000D_Voluntary care by relatives or friends is increasingly required for the older population mostly living on their own. However, as the consequence of trends like female relatives working outside the home, smaller families, more singles, fewer descendants and urbanization this type of help will not at all be available for all disabled older people who need this. The reform of healthcare systems to cope with future needs will have to involve a number of wide ranging strategies, like the promotion of healthier lifestyles, increase of productivity and improvements of self-care related medical technology. _x000D__x000D_This proposal has its scope on Personal Robotics Technology actually supporting self-care activities: Care Robotics. Explicitly it is chosen for the development of Care Robotics that support the challenged elderly user him/herself and will enable the performance of essential daily activities with the least possible dependency on external assistance. More specifically we aim at the development of an autonomous robotic platform that from onset is developed to be fully integrated concerning its carrier, robot and user interfaces and is affordable within healthcare reimbursement systems. The platform uses autonomous navigation thus allowing for use out of the line of sight which is a major advantage for bedridden oor otherwise immobile persons. _x000D_Due to design specifications that fully are geared to its application as a robotic platform, its robot differs considerably from present types so far used as manipulators, in research or in industry. None of these robots was ever specifically designed for this goal and consequently we see that no functional and affordable platform can be offered. The robot's weight, kinematics, payload and not in the least ease of operation will contribute to the first affordable and highly effective autonomous robotplatform for handicapped and elderly persons. _x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D_
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Acronym
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Othello
(Reference Number: 7840)
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Duration
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01/07/2013 - 30/06/2016
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Project Topic
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In this form the creation of the first autonomous robotised platform for handicapped and elderly persons from onset integrally developed for its use is proposed. Explicit goal of the experienced Ps is bringing an affordable platform to the market. For this many innovations are foreseen.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 9
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Project partner
