Fujitsu research with DCU to help elderly

Fujitsu research to explore ways to assist independent living for senior citizens and patients

Fujitsu has launched a new research project to assist independent living and provide monitoring services for senior citizens and patients through ICT and health management. The three-year collaboration with researchers from CLARITY in DCU, TRIL in UCD and the CASALA research group in Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) will collect data on study participants using sensors on clothing and around the home.

The KIDUKU Project will be hosted in Dublin City University and will include data collection for several kinds of medical scenarios, including fall prevention and chronic lung disease. The DCU role will be to build on the work done by Prof. Alan Smeaton and Dr. Cathal Gurrin on lifelogging, i.e. digital recording of everyday activities, which will ultimately provide insights on the everyday activities of older people, which should then provide clues as to why some kinds of falls occur. Collecting data in this way will make it easier for information, including everyday behaviour, to be shared among senior citizens and patients and their family members, primary physicians and specialists.

'This announcement that world-leading company Fujitsu is investing in industry-led research activity in areas targeted by the Action Plan for Jobs shows what is possible for Ireland in this area,' said the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD.

'The overall aim of this research is to enhance the care and empowerment of those living with a range of health conditions through the effective use of technology', said Regina Moran, CEO of Fujitsu Ireland.

Tatsuo Tomita, President, Fujitsu Laboratories Limited added: 'By bringing together the respective technologies and knowledge of each research institution, including Fujitsu Laboratories, I anticipate that we can generate substantial synergies. My hope is that, through this project, we will be able to make progress in resolving the issues we currently face on account of our aging society.'

Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland said: 'Fujitsu’s collaboration with three Irish research groups will significantly add to Ireland’s strong track record as a location for R&D investment in both the ICT and Life Science sectors.'