Ambient Assisted Living Utilizing Advanced Information and Communication Technology

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) aims for the support of independent living by advanced information and communication technology with special regard of elderly people, handicapped persons and chronically ill individuals primarily in their private housing, in the workplace and in social participation. The fundamental approach is based on the application of miniaturized sensors, wearable networks, wireless communication technology, integrated service systems, and intelligent processing of signals, data and information. The key technologies are nanotechnology, microsystems, sensors, smart control technology, robotics and information processing. AAL projects are increasingly funded by national and international agencies, e.g. EU institutions. It is assumed that AAL utilizing emerging technologies has the potential to control the healthcare and economic problems of the growing ageing population. Furthermore, AAL is expected to contribute to the next Kondratieff cycle with the focus on integrated health. Hence, AAL is one of the biggest challenges for the future development of biomedical engineering.