The first important phase of the project was to investigate user needs through the cohort of the project’s social partners – SOCA, BRC, Caritas, EURAG. The four partners represent different support networks for the elderly – from formal and informal social (BRC, CAR) and health service providers (SOCA), to representatives of senior groups (EURAG, BRC). The investigation consisted of both online/phone and face-to face interviews with elderly representatives, followed by focus groups and informative interviews from stakeholders. A total of 506 questionnaires were gathered and analysed. As a result of the initial study basic user profiles and conceptual scenarios for the system functioning were elaborated as deliverables.
High Ethical standards were considered from the beginning of the project. Internal ethical boards were set-up for the project. All research, involving user interaction and study so far was subject to ethical approval both from the partner’s internal ethical committees and by the National Ethical Committee in Slovenia.
The technical requirements and architecture were specified, following the results of the initial study on user needs and requirements. Work has been organized in eight assessment and coaching domains, four being part of the basic system (Activity, Mobility, Sleep and Social Activity) and four as advanced system (Cardio-vascular health, Cognitive decline, Nutrition, and Language based emotional state).
In the first half of the project a hardware architecture was developed that enables collection and manipulation of required data, as well as a concept of coaching models (pipelines). Each coaching pipeline will take care of a specific type of coaching in a specific domain, such as coaching for proper standing up from a chair in the mobility domain. The first component of a coaching pipeline is criteria construction and these criteria are then inputs for situation assessment and coaching decision models. User modelling and profiling approaches are used within the criteria construction step. Once all required criteria for a specific coaching pipeline are determined, the focus will be on defining how these criteria are computed from the available data, either directly (e.g. ambient temperature), or indirectly with some predefined function (e.g. speed of movement) or with a learned predictive model (e.g. detecting specific activities to obtain activity profile). This conceptual model enables us to integrate arbitrary sensing devices and arbitrary modelling and profiling algorithms.
The SAAM platform have been successfully set-up and consists of different sub-systems to be refined once the functionalities, the data protocols and interoperability of hardware for each domain are finalized. New methods were being researched and best practices applied with the creation of the base management architecture and functionality of the system. Several additional services that would allow social integration between senior and their social circles, and provide appropriate monitoring were being initiated (e.g. calendar for personal and social events with information, fed from both different groups of social circles and from seniors themselves).
In terms of persuasion, concepts were created, embedding behavioral design in AAL. By connecting behaviours and devices across homes, technologically enhanced objects can be used as means of persuasion. Behaviour change goals, therefore, become embedded in daily life objects and habits, which respond to the user, but at the same time carefully nudge him towards his goals and commitments.
The project communication and dissemination has been initiated from the beginning of the project with the initial visual identity and strategy and communication pack. Partners participated in diverse types of international and local events and initiatives to communicate the project. Press releases for media have been sent-out and followed-up. For the reporting period over 10 presentations at international events were held and 10 Articles were published in Conference proceedings for the period where partial SAAM results and research, funded by the project was disseminated.
