Habitat project: proposals for an autonomous, independent and inclusive life for self-sufficient and non-self-sufficient elderly people

Growth in the global elderly population necessitates a review and redesigning of the social care system in order to reduce operating costs while maintaining a high quality of life for individuals. On this basis, an academic/industrial research pool has developed the Habitat project (Home Assistance based on the Internet of Things for the Autonomy of All), a research project funded under the POR FESR 2014-2020 initiative of the Emilia Romagna regional authority. The main goal of Habitat is to develop a digital, open, inclusive and flexible plat-form, utilising advanced technologies—such as the Internet of Things, radio-frequency identification, wearable devices, sensor networks and artificial intelligence—and embedding them into commonly-used objects, such as an armchair, a belt, a radio or an applique lamp. The interface of these smart objects is totally transparent and non-invasive. This allows customizable configurations for domestic or community spaces (RSA – residential care facilities, day-care centres, etc.) giving the elderly more autonomy and independence, while monitoring their movements, checking their posture or warning them of health-related events. These activities are fully personalized as each smart object can recognize the individual and thus conform to their specific needs. The project lasted two years and ended in July 2018.