The system consists of wireless networked sensors, an interface, which receives and analyzes data and which generates an alarm in a Home Gateway when required. In the event of an alarm, the Gateway immediately establishes a VoIP phone call between relatives and/or nursing services and the person who requires care. Consequently, using the eHome system, the phone call is connected automatically so that the person concerned can immediately communicate with his or her attending staff.

The eHome sensor and communications network prototype received much attention at the European Ambient Assisted Living Forum 09 in Vienna. This network “senses” the danger of falling, or the fall of elderly people, within their private living quarters and informs relatives and/or nursing services. The alarm call to the caregiver is based on Kapsch’s innovative communication technology. The communication devices are tailored to meet the needs of elderly people, enable regular contact to family and friends and include modern displays, which do not require any computer knowledge to operate. Additional features of this system are reminder applications and night-lights.

“Elderly people or people who require a high level of care would like to stay in their own homes or in familiar surroundings as long as possible. This creates two risk areas. First, there is a higher risk due to missing help in emergencies, and secondly, the people in question can be lonely due to insufficient contact to the outside world. It is in these situations that the latest technologies can assist people to master their daily lives and enjoy life as well”, said Thomas Schöpf, Kapsch CarrierCom AG’s COO. “These technologies become more important as life expectancy increases”, added Schöpf.

In addition to Kapsch CarrierCom and Treventus Mechatronics, a “spin-off” company of the Technical University of Vienna (TU), the “integrated study” institute of the Technical University of Vienna (TU) as well as the CEIT RALTEC research institute are also involved as research partners in the innovative project. This project is subsidised by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) as well as by the Research Subsidy Association (FFG).

About the Technical University of Vienna (TU), “integrated study” institute:
The “integrated study” institute of the Technical University of Vienna (TU) was founded on January 1, 2004. fortec-rehabilitation technology is one of two departments and focuses on teaching, research and development in the areas of (Ambient) Assisted Living, curative, assistive and palliative medicine. Additionally, the institute’s focus includes user-friendly interface design for bioelectronics (the combination of biological and electronic systems) as well as for ethical issues.

About CEIT RALTEC non-profit GmbH:
CEIT RALTEC, a subsidiary of the “Central European Institute of Technology”, is subsidized as a non-university based research institute by the city of Schwechat as part of the eSchwechat.at initiative. CEIT RALTEC combines competence in the areas of rehabilitation and Ambient Assisted Living technologies (AAL, eHomecare and eHealthcare). Our focus is the research and development of new technical solutions for elderly people and persons with special needs.

About Treventus Mechatronics GmbH:
The TU Vienna Spin-Off TREVENTUS Mechatronics GmbH is a specialist in the implementation of mechatronic solutions. TREVENTUS takes on development to the point of mass production and performs appropriate market analyses. The TREVENTUS flagship is the newly developed and internationally patented ScanRobot® book scanner. With this interdisciplinary system, launched in 2007, TREVENTUS achieved global market leadership in automated book digitization early 2009.