In order to contribute to ICT solutions for healthy and independent ageing, RCS has previously developed the LEA. LEA assists elderly users in walking indoors and enables a healthy and active lifestyle. LEA’s advanced technology, large number of sensors and sophisticated software solutions offer balance support, posture correction and assistance in standing up and sitting down. During the LEA final user test-phase, the need for an outdoor model was expressed by the user. Users articulated the desire for an additional outdoor application that could offer physical activity and security like LEA. However, the current LEA is only suitable for indoor use and existing wheeled walkers (rollators) and mobility scooters currently on the market and being the only alternative lack for support and physical activity respectively (see paragraph 1.4 for more detail on the comparison with competing devices). This leaves a critical gap between user needs and available solutions.
In order to answer the needs from society and individual users Robot Care Systems (RCS) develops the Outdoor Lean Empowering Assistant (OLEA). This robotic mobility assistant offers supported walking as well as semi-automated motorised transport and functions as a full lifestyle device through it touchscreen interface. As such, OLEA makes frail elderly and rehabilitation patients more mobile and independent. Their increased mobility reduces healthcare costs and improves patient health and Quality of Life (QoL). OLEA will fulfil this need, as it will offer the possibility to flexibly alternate between high support (like the expensive but often used mobility scooters) and low support (walker) use. OLEA will be a simple, easy to use robotic tool that assists in safe and secure walking, but will also offer the possibility of seated and standing motorised transport. This way, users can alternate between walking and riding. The built in touchscreen enables the integration of navigational, communicational and physical exercise supporting applications. Through the advanced sensing and reactive support, OLEA offers an intermediate possibility on both security and physical activity with additional smart applications that can support the user in a broad range of activities and situations throughout daily life. In conclusion OLEA will offer support in mobility (walking and motorised support) but also in other life functions such as social interactions and navigation. The exact need for functionalities will be assessed in the feasibility study. The final goal of OLEA is to enable independent, active and secure living for elderly people, for which there is a pressing personal desire and societal need.
By offering this multifunctional support, OLEA provides an entirely new approach to some of the European challenges in managing healthcare and healthcare costs in relation to the ageing population. Through OLEA’s unique secure and activity-promoting functions and the additional possibility of integrating software applications (such as for social interaction or navigation), it contributes to the reduction of ageing associated healthcare expenses. The mechanisms through which OLEA aims to contribute to lowering healthcare costs, are:
• Enable elderly people to live independently longer, which results in increased quality of life and decreased healthcare expenses for caring homes. As European countries pay an average of 0.6% of GDP to finance care homes, and 3.5% for long term care at home, these make up a major healthcare expense. By assisting users in living independently, they can stay home longer and expenses for caring homes will decrease.
• Stimulate physical exercise in elderly people through promoting walking, and thereby increasing the user’s physical shape and general health. It has been shown that physically active people are healthier in numerous respects, among which are the decreased prevalence of arthrosis, vascular disease, depression, cognitive problems and sleeping disorders. Additionally, with a better general physical condition the chance of fall incidents is decreased, preventing all related injuries. By promoting activity they will therefore become healthier and need less care, which will also contribute to a critical reduction of healthcare expenses.
• Support outdoor independent physical exercise for rehabilitation after injury, thereby decreasing the necessary support by physiotherapists;
Overall objective of the project was to perform both commercial and technical feasibility study of brining OLEA to the market.
