New Research to Assist Independent Living for the Elderly

Fujitsu have announced an exciting new research project that will build on the successful programmes of life logging and falls risk identification research in the CLARITY and TRIL research centres to deliver a ground-breaking programme of collaborative research that will deliver a novel falls risk management platform.

The KIDUKU project is being carried out in collaboration between researchers from CLARITY and TRIL, now working together in INSIGHT, and the CASALA research group in DKIT, to explore ways to assist independent living in an aging society through ICT. The project will commence in July 2013 in Ireland, will last for three years and will be run under the guidance of Prof. Alan Smeaton (CLARITY), Prof. Brian Caulfield (TRIL/CLARITY) and Dr. Cathal Guerrin (CLARITY Collaborator).

Over the course of the project, researchers will use a range of sensors to monitor patients' daily lives, in addition to bringing the expertise of independent living support specialists together with data visualization and analysis technologies. As a result, the project aims to develop a system that supports independent living through health management and ICT, as well as solutions for seniors and patients that participate in this system.

The research will help seniors and patients follow up with illnesses and support with appropriate treatment regimens. In addition, by streamlining the sharing of information among senior citizens and patients and their family members, primary physicians, and specialists, the project aims to leverage ICT to support the lives of people in an aging society.

Sensors affixed to the clothing of senior citizens and patients living in smart houses, in situations such as when at home or outdoors, and sensors embedded in the home and surrounding environment will be used to collect various data, including physiological, psychological, physical, and social information.

By bringing the insights of independent living support specialists together with data visualization and analysis technologies, the project aims to develop a system that supports independent living through health management and ICT, as well as solutions for seniors and patients that employ this system. Using the system to help monitor senior citizens and patients will make it possible to monitor illnesses while helping them to follow appropriate treatment regimens. It will also make it easy for information to be shared among senior citizens and patients and their family members, primary physicians and specialists. Research will be conducted for several kinds of medical scenarios, including fall prevention and chronic lung disease.

The project's name, KIDUKU, captures the essence of two Japanese words, both pronounced "kiduku," with the first meaning "to be aware" and the second, "to construct." The idea of being aware has to do with the ability to observe changes in different conditions, such as an individual's health, which can lead to changes in behaviour and the offering of new support services. For this purpose, the project aims to "construct" a knowledge platform that provides services to help senior citizens and patients gain a heightened sense of awareness. The project also seeks to build senior citizen-oriented solutions that employ this system and are useful in everyday life. By collaborating with the three research institutions in Ireland on this project, and by gaining the cooperation of senior citizens and patients, Fujitsu is seeking to build a closer relationship between Ireland and Japan.