Italy is getting older as the number of elderly people is on the increase. Recent statistical data collected by Istat on our country confirm it: the trend will reach its peak by 2050, when 34% of the population will be 65 or older.
The data raise some concerns if we also consider the increase in the number of chronic and degenerative disease that comes with an older population, with a lower level of autonomy and in need of assistance and care.
51,5% of the population in the 55-59 age group has chronic and degenerative conditions, a percentage that raises to 85,2% in the over 75 age group (Istat data).
The wellbeing of the elderly has been included in the European research programme Horizon 2020, with specific funding (amounting to almost 4 million) allocated to an international research project whose objective is to develop a personalized virtual coach that will help the elderly stay independent in their own house.
14 partners from 9 countries will work together in the Captain project (Coach Assistant via Projected and TAngible INterface). Among them are the University of Trento and the Provincial Healthcare Services, that have started to work together within the AUSILIA project for the independent living of elderly people.
Two IT companies will collaborate with them, given the great importance of technological development in the project: Social it and Nively (the latter is based in Nice but was established with capitals from Trentino). The three-year project officially started with the meeting that took place last week in Thessaloniki.
The purpose that Captain aims to achieve is to allow elderly people to remain independent and to help those who need care and assistance at home because of cognitive or functional impairments due to old age or disease, working side by side with their carers. A personal virtual coach will assist the elderly in their homes to identify problems and offer possible tailored solutions, supporting them in their independent living, providing help if they have functional impairments, or maintaining them in good health, physically, mentally, and socially.
The virtual coach will use the most advanced technologies currently available, like projected augmented reality, 3D sensors, non-invasive analysis of physical and emotional states, using artificial intelligence systems to offer customized answers to the users’ different needs and behaviours.
The innovative aspect of Captain is that it is based on micro projectors that make a virtual coach appear in the place and at the time in which it is needed. No need to move furniture around for Captain: it will use all surfaces (walls, mirrors) as an interface to display different types of information. A recipe, for example, or a reminder to turn on or off home appliances, provide to personal hygiene, keep in mind deadlines and appointments. It can even display the pages of a book magnifying the characters on the living room wall: the system has multiple applications and they all can make the life of the elderly easier.
More details in the press release (in italian).