SI-ROBOTICS

SocIal ROBOTICS for active and healthy ageing

SI-ROBOTICS (SocIal ROBOTICS for active and healthy ageing) is a project funded at Italian level thanks to the ESF/ERDF, in cooperation with the Italian Ministry for University and Research (MIUR) and the Regional Operative Programme of R&I 2014-2020 (PON 2014-2020). SI-ROBOTICS aims to design and develop ICT assistive robotic technologies, proving the capability of supporting caregivers in the execution of health care services, acting through robotic technologies characterized by socially acceptable behaviors. The scientific objective of the SI-ROBOTICS project is to design and implement easily adaptable technological solutions to help the elderly in daily activities and to assess the progress of their physical and cognitive decline (frailty, dementia, mild cognitive impairment). This allows for the identification of specific challenges for early diagnosis, objective evaluation, therapy control and rehabilitation. Innovative ICT robotics concepts and solutions are introduced, in which users, IoT devices, AI-powered social robots and objects connected to the cloud will collaborate to create a sort of “”cognitive agent”” to anticipate user needs and provide assistance, monitoring and coaching solutions.

The need for a better quality – while sustainable – health services is a crucial aspect for many countries that face socio-economic aspects considering both the economic crisis and an aging population. The current demographic change, which should lead to an increase in the elderly dependency rate (number of people aged 65 or over compared to those aged 15-64) from the current 28% to 50% by 2060, involves the development of a model of healthy aging, however, having to deal with age-related diseases. Furthermore, the decrease in the working age population will lead to an increase in the demand for nurses (+ 94% in 2025) and social and health care assistants (+ 72% in 2025), as well as a higher level of assistance. The SI-ROBOTICS project focuses on these issues and aims to design through connected robots a holistic approach for assistance and monitoring interventions in active assisted living applications, including: • Monitoring of physical activity (leisure and domestic activities) and coaching; • Physiological monitoring (chronic diseases, aging parameters, emotional state, stress level); • Recognition of habits, lifestyle changes and promotion of a healthy lifestyle; • Assessment and support in the mitigation of physical / cognitive decline; • Support for a correct lifestyle and physical / cognitive stimulation (nutrition, cooking, physical activity); • Advanced remote control with caregivers.

R2M participates in as a technical partner providing expertise on ICT, robotics, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Robotic services will be developed using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) algorithms. R2M participates in the development of advanced human-machine interaction models designed to foster a positive perception by the user that are able to motivate older people to actively participate in their care. R2M is also responsible for the prototyping and testing of the SW platform.