Digital Solutions for Aging Societies: Harnessing AI and Robotics for Personalized Assistance

Project abstract: 

The aging population trend in Japan, Germany, and other countries underscores the need for personalized physical and mental support for the elderly and disabled. This requires a comprehensive understanding of their conditions, intentions, and activities. Robotics plays a vital role, offering various forms of physical assistance like humanoid robots and wearable devices. Integrating sensors and actuators into the environment enhances its intelligence, enabling analysis of individuals' behaviors and needs.
To provide effective support, modeling individuals and environments in digitalized cyber environments is essential. This allows for deriving appropriate support in the digital realm and implementing it in the real world using robots and devices. Collaboration between AI and robotics researchers from six universities in Japan and Germany, facilitated by HeKKSaGOn, drives advancements in human-assistive research. Initiatives like joint research projects focus on developing AI and robot technology to support the elderly and disabled.
Looking ahead, research projects within HeKKSaGOn will target the development of robots and AI for geriatric users, including vision-based control and social interaction. Efforts will extend to children and adults to foster social participation across generations. Initiatives like Inclusive Dance showcase interdisciplinary collaboration, involving professionals from various fields beyond engineering.
The project will encourage interdisciplinary research involving AI, robotics, psychology, and rehabilitation. It will organize workshops with young students and researchers to envision a society in 2050 coexisting with AI robots. These workshops foster a shared vision and collaborative research across disciplines, essential for developing young talent. Sessions will cover AI, robotics, digital twins, and building an inclusive society using new technologies, providing participants with insights into future societal needs.

Lead coordinator: 

Lead coordinator
Name: Yasuhisa Hirata
Position: Professor
Institution: Tohoku University
Department, Faculty: Department of Robotic, Graduate School of Engineering
E-mail: yasuhisa hirata b1 ∂does-not-exist.tohoku ac jp

Co-coordinator

Name: Katja Mombaur
Position: Professor
Institution: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Department, Faculty: Institute for Anthropomatics and Robotics (IAR), Optimization and Biomechanics for Human Centred Robotics (HCR), Faculty for Informatics

Other coordinators

Name: Kensuke Harada
Position: Professor
Institution: Osaka University
Department, Faculty: Graduate School of Engineering Science
 

Name: Prof. Dr. Sabina Pauen
Position: Professor
Institution: Heidelberg University