Intel and the Industrial Development Agency of Ireland are collaborating to develop devices to help elderly people remain independent, eWeek reports.
Researchers from Intel and Irish universities will work at the Technology Research for Independent Living Center established by the three-year, $30 million collaboration to create devices that will detect and prevent falls, help those with memory problems and keep the elderly engaged in their communities.
Intel has demonstrated new at-home health services technology, including video screens for elderly patients to communicate with their physicians and coordination tests that track Parkinson's disease and determine if medications need to be changed. In addition, people with memory loss could be provided with phones that display a caller's picture, details about the caller and even previous conversations with the caller. Intel also has developed cell phone devices that detect voice changes in an elderly person, which could indicate a possible neurological disease in its early stages, according to eWeek.
Intel last week announced a $1 million collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University to develop devices that can detect when an elderly person needs help. The market for digital home health services is predicted to exceed $2 billion by 2010, which is up from $450 million in 2005, according to a market report released last year (Baker, eWeek, 1/31).