What is the problem/issue being addressed?
ReACTIVE To is a multidisciplinary and intersectoral that brings together a unique team of academic and industrial to form a tight confederation that work with stakeholders to tackle challenging aspects of reliability and future developments in electronic systems. The team has develop novel tools for agile design, testing, analysing and improving the reliability of new devices in various demanding applications and environments, such as in automotive user experience and active safety applications and active and assisted living, which will help manufacturers identify and mitigate failure risks during the design stage; and consequently help to optimise reliability in all applications, moreover realise substantial design time efficiencies and cost savings.
The project also addresses the challenges of wearable electronic related to short battery life while developing technologies for harvesting energy from diverse sources.
The ReACTIVE Too equally addresses Europe’s ageing population challenges by applying the DfS methodology, using modular design and stakeholder co design to support sustainable independence and ageing in place.
Why is it important for society?
The ReACTIVE Too project is important for society because it has:
• Developed advanced tools, methods, and materials to improve the safety and reliability of critical electronic systems, contributing to reduced road traffic risks and enhancing the performance of electronics-based technologies used in transport and other essential sectors.
• Strengthened healthcare and assisted living solutions through innovations in ambient assisted living with co-development of solutions with diverse stakeholders, improved energy efficiency, and the integration of active energy harvesting technologies into products. These contributions also support more sustainable use of scarce materials, reinforcing environmental protection efforts.
• Stimulated innovation and economic growth by creating new market opportunities for industrial partners and strengthening Europe’s technological competitiveness.
The project’s societal relevance is amplified by Europe’s ageing population and the rising prevalence of non communicable diseases, which often result in long term disabilities. The team has codeveloped smart furniture and assistive technology solutions with real users and healthcare professionals, ensuring they address local needs across different European regions. These innovations support independent living and ageing in place, helping to reduce pressure on social and healthcare systems while improving user safety, autonomy, and overall quality of life.
Furthermore, through strong collaboration across ReACTIVE Too’s 15 partners, supported by 168 secondment months, numerous workshops, the monthly Connect & Share series, and more than 50 publications, the project has significantly strengthened skills development across Europe. It has also contributed to job creation through prototype manufacturing and ongoing R&D efforts, ultimately advancing safer mobility, more efficient healthcare, and greener technologies for citizen.
What are the overall objectives?
The overall objective is to form an international and inter-sectoral network of organisations working on a joint research programme in the fields of Active Safety or Smart Systems for Automated Driving, Active/Ambient assisted Living, Active Health, and Active/Green Energy. Specific objectives are to
1. Make a significant contribution to the European Union research on Smart Systems for Automated Driving.
2. Share existing understanding and experiences of enhancing the design and manufacture of flexible and wearable electronics.
3. Generate new knowledge on the integration of electronic devices in connected wearable and portable settings (e.g. textiles, flexible or stretchable substrates), interconnection, compatibility with low-cost manufacturing, efficient energy scavenging and storage, functional performance, and durability/reliability.
4. Develop Design for Reliability techniques for Electronics Based Systems deployed in User Experience and Safety Applications for Automotive and Wearables.
5. Share this new knowledge in order to develop Design for Reliability techniques for Electronics Based Systems deployed in User Experience and Safety Applications for Automotive and Wearables to contribute to EPoSS (European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration) European Roadmap Smart Systems for Automated Driving.
