We create solutions for an ageing society by focusing on what people need and harnessing the state of the art in science and technology.
CARUcares is a collaborative project with funding from the AAL programme. The objective is to set new standards in the AgeTech sector. Within the framework of this research project, we will enhance CARU’s functionalities. CARU is a digital flatmate that helps people in need of care to lead more independent, autonomous lives.
Until mid 2022, we will work to find answers to the following key questions: how can we use technical assistants to help meet the daily needs of both people who need care and their relatives, carers, and nurses? How can we increase opportunities for communication? How can we ensure that our system is linked up to the systems used in the professional care and emergency call sectors?
Features
Here at CARUcares, we combine communication and assistance functions using the most natural form of operation known to humans: language. Unlike similar systems that are already available on the market, we ensure a high level of data protection with regard to voice processing and the responsible handling of personal data.
Arrival time notification
Users can request the arrival time of the upcoming care appointment or next concierge visit via voice command. In doing so, CARU can calculate the arrival time in real time from the scheduling data of the care service and the current position of the caregiver.
Advanced communication
Users can establish a telephone connection via voice command, e.g. to the central office of the care service or to the service center. If this happens outside of business hours or the call cannot be answered, there is an option to leave a voice message.
Documentation for caregiver
Caregivers or concierges can have a task list read aloud by CARU via voice command. This list is synchronized with the respective service center. Once a task is completed, it can be marked as done by the nursing staff or concierges via voice command.
CARU operates in a sensitive environment. Finding the right balance between functionality, trust, a feeling of security, and privacy is absolutely key to the acceptance of this product.
Co-Creation
We put the user at the heart of our design process. Together we develop new functions and test them on a large number of users. The resulting findings will be scientifically analysed and channelled di-rectly into the development process. This integrative approach will ensure both a high level of ac-ceptance and the greatest possible added value for our target groups.