The care laboratory at the University of Oldenburg includes various measurement methods for analysing and supporting the care work of older people in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Sensor-supported measurement and analysis systems as well as smart home solutions (intelligent lighting, activity recognition, SensFloor) or equipment that can be operated via gesture and voice control are to analyse the movements of caregivers via 3D sensors on the one hand and support and facilitate the everyday life of people in need of care on the other. In addition, robotic systems to support carers and care recipients are being investigated. For example, a robotic arm can take over holding and supporting functions during a care process. The testing of service and care robots in the home environment of the care laboratory is an integral part of this, as is the training of care staff in the use of the new technologies.

The IDEAAL flat has been established by our partner institute OFFIS as an integral part of the OFFIS research strategy and within the framework of a series of regional, national and international research projects as a crystallisation point for dealing with demographic change and as a starting point for further activities.

In this context, the IDEAAL flat closes the gap between the development of technology under laboratory conditions and real-life use in existing flats. It thus also offers an excellent environment for user studies. The prototypes enable intensive testing and thus create close cooperation between senior citizens, doctors and carers on the one hand and the developers and technicians on the other. Problems during real-life use, which are not always recognisable during development, are thus identified at an early stage with the help of feedback from the various users.

Further information and a virtual flat tour can be found at www.ideaal.de.