Active and Assisted Living

Book excerpt: This is a broad introductory handbook, for academic and industry researchers, covering the major technologies and applications in Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). Set out in three main sections: Part 1 focuses on current state-of-the-art technology and critical analysis: Part 2 covers the applications of these technologies; and Part 3 includes general issues such as usability, accessibility, privacy and ethics. With contributions from around the world, topics covered include: smart homes, environmental sensors and data fusion, wearable sensors, devices and smart clothes, standards and interoperability, computer vision for AAL, reasoning systems, person-environment interaction, networks and integration platforms, assistive and service robotics, tele-care and telehealth, gait analysis, fall prevention, detection and intervention, prevention and management of chronic conditions, support to activities of daily living, mental health and cognitive stimulation, indoor and outdoor mobility, well being, social interaction and isolation, usability, accessibility, privacy and ethical issues. Active and Assisted Living is an essential resource for researchers in academia and industry developing AAL technologies. Students, healthcare practitioners and engineers, in this cross-disciplinary field, which includes robotics and automation, telecommunications, computing and healthcare, will find this handbook of use.