Workpackage 2 - Novel AAL Development
Lead Investigator: Alex Mihailidis (Canada)
Team Members: Louise Nygard (KI), Andrew Sixsmith (SFU), Arlene Astell (St. Andrews), Uwe Glasser (SFU), Babak Taati (TRI), Amaya Arcelus (TRI)
Collaborators: IBM, CareLink Advantage, West Lothian Council, Ontario Telehealth Network
Past work on AAL devices (as outlined in the Background Section), has mainly focused on the development of individual technologies to solve specific problems. As such these projects resulted in technologies and modules (i.e. hardware and software) that are not generalisable and applicable to AAL systems outside of their original design goals. This lack of generalisable modules or “building blocks” is a significant limitation within the AAL field as it has resulted in a fragmented technology landscape with many researchers often working on the same problems without any type of collaboration or sharing of resources.
Objectives
The aim of this work package is to build upon the findings from WP1 to develop a Reference Model and a set of common service architectures that can be used in the development of generalisable AAL technologies for older adults with MCI, and then to apply these to develop novel applications that will support older adults in their homes and communities.
The specific objectives are to:
(i) Translate findings from WP1 into design criteria and a Reference Model of AAL technologies for people with MCI;
(ii) Develop common service architectures and modules that can be applied in the development of AAL systems (within and outside of this proposal)
(iii) Develop novel AAL applications that address the needs identified in WP1
(iv) Complete simulated testing of each developed system using older adult actors and the HomeLab located at TRI-UHN in preparation for user trials that will be completed in WP3.
Deliverables
This Workpackage will deliver the following:
(i) Reference Model providing a detailed requirements description of the AAL-WELL system, components and applications.
(ii) A set of generalised design criteria for the development of AAL technologies for older adults. In concert with another project, these criteria will be developed into a “guideline” that can be used by other researchers in this field;
(iii) Generalisable sensing and inference modules that can be used in AAL technologies across different application areas. Beyond the completion of this WP, these modules will continue to be developed in order to be usable by the AAL community.
(iv) Working prototype applications for testing with users (WP3)
(v) Preliminary evaluation report on technical performance of system and applications
Innovation
This work package will apply novel techniques and approaches from engineering and computer science to develop modules that can be used in the development of current and future AAL technologies. The primary innovation in this project lies in the development of generalisable algorithms in this field, which has never previously been successfully achieved. In addition, novel and original AAL technologies will be developed, which will all have significant opportunities for transfer to market.
Team Members: Louise Nygard (KI), Andrew Sixsmith (SFU), Arlene Astell (St. Andrews), Uwe Glasser (SFU), Babak Taati (TRI), Amaya Arcelus (TRI)
Collaborators: IBM, CareLink Advantage, West Lothian Council, Ontario Telehealth Network
Past work on AAL devices (as outlined in the Background Section), has mainly focused on the development of individual technologies to solve specific problems. As such these projects resulted in technologies and modules (i.e. hardware and software) that are not generalisable and applicable to AAL systems outside of their original design goals. This lack of generalisable modules or “building blocks” is a significant limitation within the AAL field as it has resulted in a fragmented technology landscape with many researchers often working on the same problems without any type of collaboration or sharing of resources.
Objectives
The aim of this work package is to build upon the findings from WP1 to develop a Reference Model and a set of common service architectures that can be used in the development of generalisable AAL technologies for older adults with MCI, and then to apply these to develop novel applications that will support older adults in their homes and communities.
The specific objectives are to:
(i) Translate findings from WP1 into design criteria and a Reference Model of AAL technologies for people with MCI;
(ii) Develop common service architectures and modules that can be applied in the development of AAL systems (within and outside of this proposal)
(iii) Develop novel AAL applications that address the needs identified in WP1
(iv) Complete simulated testing of each developed system using older adult actors and the HomeLab located at TRI-UHN in preparation for user trials that will be completed in WP3.
Deliverables
This Workpackage will deliver the following:
(i) Reference Model providing a detailed requirements description of the AAL-WELL system, components and applications.
(ii) A set of generalised design criteria for the development of AAL technologies for older adults. In concert with another project, these criteria will be developed into a “guideline” that can be used by other researchers in this field;
(iii) Generalisable sensing and inference modules that can be used in AAL technologies across different application areas. Beyond the completion of this WP, these modules will continue to be developed in order to be usable by the AAL community.
(iv) Working prototype applications for testing with users (WP3)
(v) Preliminary evaluation report on technical performance of system and applications
Innovation
This work package will apply novel techniques and approaches from engineering and computer science to develop modules that can be used in the development of current and future AAL technologies. The primary innovation in this project lies in the development of generalisable algorithms in this field, which has never previously been successfully achieved. In addition, novel and original AAL technologies will be developed, which will all have significant opportunities for transfer to market.