=> View Video

Explanation of the GREAT modules and system. Experts outline their impresssions on light, sound and scents in dementia care settings.

=> View Poster

Short overview of the GREAT project including information about partners, goal and modules

=> View Brochure

Detailed information about the project in a compact PDF brochure

The aim of the GREAT project is to develop, implement and validate as well as get ready for the market an intelligent, modular, persuasive ambient system to prepare PwD for new or changing activities during the day and thereby assist the care recipients as well as the caregivers. The solution will include light, sound and scent modules for creating room ambiences and address the following topics:

• maintain/increase the quality of life (QoL) of elderly people by being able to live longer and independently at their own home by emotional stabilizing and behavioural stimulating ambiences
• support carers by preparing PwD for activities and behavioural fitting moods with intelligent and learning ambient stimuli and therefore ease the burden of caring
• provide a modular and scalable solution which integrates seamlessly with existing home automation standards
• introduce an iteratively extendable product and service for the needs of the patients and carers
• adaptable to national standards in regard to application of light, sound and scent in room ambiences for clinical or home integration
• combine a user adapted system for well-being and activity with modular and easy integration that results in a commercially feasible solution for home care as well as clinical care

The innovative approach of our proposal allows for time cycle definitions similar to the concepts of a sleep cycle timer. Backed by automated learning algorithms the simple user interface provides caregivers and older people in early stages of dementia with the possibility to define time spans in which a specific action stimulus should be prepared. Alternatively, the time span could automatically be calculated from the duration of an action. Following the conceptions of a learning feedback control system non-disruptive sensors are used to determine the mood and emotional states of present persons. The room light, sound and scent ambience is then dynamically composed accordingly to effect emotional states, mood and behaviour.

Our methodology is structured and aligned around a strong user-centred and modular approach to achieve the highest possible degree of usability and flexibility. The planned modular expansion will extend our already developed and tested lighting module with the functionalities to create comprehensive room ambiences with mood lighting, sound and scent.

We consider the iterative and modular design as a crucial factor for user acceptance and successful strategy to bring our service to market. Additionally, our concept is characterised by maintaining a lean and lightweight applicability to guarantee practical feasibility.

Our system allows individual and easy-to-use control from different user interfaces (e.g. smart phone, tablet or desktop computer) and allows selected remote access to a limited number of persons from the internet (e.g. family members, caregivers, physicians). Therefore, seniors' activity measurements and interactive elements are visualized on these user interfaces following established usability and accessibility standards (e.g. ISO 9241, WCAG 2.0) and applying a design-for-all approach. It is feasible to perform data analysis, storage, and visualisation within a protected shroud of privacy, where the sensor data are controlled by their owners. For selected data exchange the cryptographic protocols such as encryption/decryption, digital signature, and hash code are used as protection mechanisms. To provide a highly interoperable, modular and flexible system we will:

• combine peer-to-peer network with server-based network to form a strong efficient portable and compatible network architecture
• allow easy integration with current bus systems like EIB/KNX, LM, DALI, EnOcean, BACnet, MODBUS, Beckhoff ADS and EtherCAT
• take care of hardware heterogeneity and allow different communication technologies like Ethernet, ZigBee, Bluetooth, WLAN
• implement a multi-layered, modular software architecture to ensure effective configuring, scaling, and servicing
• use an open and documented plug-in-interface to give third-party developers the opportunity to create own applications for the modular system