SHARE-it

 
Supported Human Autonomy for Recovery and Enhancement of cognitive and motor abilities using information technologies
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The goal of SHARE-it is to develop a scalable, adaptive system of add-ons to sensor and assistive technology so that they can be modularly integrated into an intelligent home environment to enhance the individual’s autonomy. The system will be designed to inform and assist the user and his/her caregivers through monitoring and mobility help.

 
Thus, we plan to contribute to the development of the next generation of assistive devices for older persons or people with disabilities so that they can be self-dependent as long as possible. We focus on add-ons to be compatible with existing technologies and to achieve an easier integration into existing systems. We also aim at adaptive systems as transparent, and consequently, easy to use to the person as possible. Scalability is meant to include or remove devices from the system in a simple, intuitive way.

SHARE-it will address important issues in sensor networks, assisted mobility, knowledge engineering and Ambient Intelligence. In this context SHARE-it will make significant contributions to fundamental, long-term research in the following areas:

C1: Sensor-based environment perception, knowledge acquisition and representation, high-level reasoning and goal seeking behaviours in a real world (preferred environment).

C2: Verifying software adaptation to human with special needs: both at design and run-time - as operating conditions and governing norms change - to establish (e.g.) safety, regulatory and security requirements.

C3: Incorporating shared autonomy: ensuring individual software components and groups of software components can be designed to operate in a given intelligent ambiance and adapt to possible changes both in the needs of the user or in the environment.

The objectives of SHARE-it are:
  • O1: To explore the benefits of the concept of situated intelligence to build elements (add-ons) that will enhance the autonomy of the target user group in their daily life in their preferred environment.
  • O2: To investigate and implement innovative forms of shared autonomy.
  • O3: To build appropriate add-ons to standardised technologies to provide ubiquitous sensing, computation and assistance
  • O4: To build adaptive interfaces for the target group.
  • O5: To target the various human-delivered assistance and caretaking services as effectively as possible.

The consortium includes 1 major industrial partner, 3 Universities, 2 research Institutes and 2 Health Care institutions.

The overall project work is intended to bring together existing work from a number of areas and make a concerted effort to develop a sound paradigm for future development of mission critical systems for individuals suffering disabilities involving automated components: creating important reference points in the field, aiming to catalyse debate and opening future research directions.