Workshop on "Robotics and Automation in Assistive Living Systems

The 2nd International Conference on Pervasive Technologies Related to Assistive environments http://www.petrae.org/ June 9-13, 2009 Corfu, Greece

The quality of life of an elderly person can be improved by allowing them to continue living as independently as possible in their own home or apartment. However, some people require assistance in order to maintain some level of autonomy. Assistive living systems are being developed for this purpose and they may consist of a monitoring system, composed of sensors embedded in the environment and computers with programmed logic for identifying events, and a response system, which can include robots to affect or alter the environment. A synergy can be realized as the system, staff, and patient work together to improve the patient's quality of life. This can be achieved to a greater extent if robots are included in the assistive living system. The system's operations involve the use of robot(s) and automation to alter or collect information from the environment when the humans are unable to help themselves or unaware that they need assistance, as in emergencies. However, even mundane situations are considered where robotics and automation can be used to simply make the human more comfortable in their environment. These scenarios can be addressed quickly by robot(s) and/or automation stationed within the home, as opposed to having the system call someone for help.