How To Make A Light Bulb For Older People

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1 Ambient Lighting Assistance New lighting technology for enhancing the wellbeing of older people

2 Project Information The Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) Ambient Lighting Assistance for an Ageing Population (ALADIN) is funded by the Information Society Technologies (IST) priority of the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission (IST ) Intelligent lighting device

3 Aladin Consortium Our Goal User Centered Technologies Research, University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg, Austria Dr. Edith Maier Bartenbach Light Laboratory GmbH, Austria Mag. Wilfried Pohl Becker Meditec, Germany Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Becker Department of Ergonomics and Psychology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics Prof. Dr. Lajos Izsó Institute for Social Research and Opinion Polling OHG, Italy Dr. Hermann Atz Generation Research Program, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany Dr. med. Herbert Plischke Applied Electronics and Information Engineering, Polytechnical University of Bucharest, Romania Prof. Dr. Inge Gavat Light plays an important role for our health and wellbeing. Both natural and articifial light have an impact on our physiological processes such as cardiovascular activity and our circadian rhythms or inner clock. This, in turn, influences our performance at day and the quality of our sleep at night. Ageing may lead to a deterioration of our inner clock. This can result in a lack of alertness and problems with concentration during the day and sleep disturbances at night. These problems can seriously affect older people s quality of life. Also, certain age-related diseases of the eye may lead to impaired vision, which is why older people s homes require higher standards in lighting. The EU project Ambient Lighting Assistance for an Ageing Population aims at developing an intelligent assistive lighting system based on ambient lighting to support concentration and memory performance. At the same time, lighting can be adapted to support relaxation. Thus, the positive impact of lighting is exploited to enhance people s state of health and their sense of wellbeing. The Aladin lighting solution therefore represents a new preventive health measure that can help older people to age in place. Prof. Dr. Guido Kempter and Dr. Edith Maier

4 Benefits for the Elderly Better mental performance Not only can the appropriate lighting increase people s level of alertness and memory performance in certain everyday situations, but it can contribute to their overall sense of wellbeing. Better sleep quality Adaptive lighting can contribute considerably to sound sleep and a regular sleep-wake cycle. Apart from the health benefits, this may give a boost to people s social life. Demotitel Autonomous living The innovative lighting solution helps older people to remain living in their homes independently for longer periods of time. Graphic user interfaces (exercises, general menu) Snapshots from user testing

5 New Technologies for Industry Research Findings Lighting Devices New light solutions allow us to vary the colour, intensity and distribution of light and take into account the special requirements of older people. They often suffer from impaired vision and need support when performing routine tasks. Light Effects Our extensive lab tests have shown the psycho-physiological reactions triggered by certain light parameters such as intensity, spectrum or duration of exposure and how these can be influenced by changing the parameters. Smart Biosensors Small and non-intrusive measuring devices using bluetooth technology for data transmission can be incorporated in textiles worn on the body. They enable us to capture signals such as skin conductance, heart rate or body temperature. Biofeedback Systematic tests have also helped us define target values for relaxation and activation that are best suited for older people. These values form the basis for visualising people s biosignals whilst performing activation and relaxation exercises. Intelligent Light Control Systems Artificial intelligence techniques such as genetic algorithms are used to adapt various light parameters such as light intensity or colour. Optimisation is incremental and evolutionary and happens in response to the biosignals the system receives. Usability Our reiterative user tests have given us valuable insights into how to design user interfaces, especially for interactive TV applications. By involving the users right from the start, we have succeeded in developing user interfaces that are accessible, a joy to use and ageing-friendly. Biosensors Experimental lightbox Visualizing light Psychophysiological measuring device

6 Future Application of Aladin Health Care The Aladin lighting solution can be used in many healthrelated applications, e.g. to combat seasonal depressions. Lighting can also be used for navigation purposes, which may be particularly useful in the case of dementia or to diminish older people s risk of falling. Interior lighting Apart from enhancing the interior lighting in buildings, the adaptive lighting system could also be used in cars, aeroplanes, ships or special objects in a room, e.g. to provide ambient lighting for TV sets. Building Management Due to its open architecture, the system can easily be extended to include other environmental factors such as temperature, acoustics or information displays and thus become part of a general assistive environment. Eye movements Monitoring light effects Control algorithms Interior lighting Components of Aladin system

7 For further information on the Aladin project, please visit our website: Coordinating institution: University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg Hochschulstrasse Dornbirn, Austria P +43 (0) F +43 (0) E edith.maier@fhv.at