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Gerontechnology Research inYuan Ze University
Yeh-Liang Hsu, Ph.DDean of Academic Affairs
Professor, Dept. Mechanical EngineeringDirector, Gerontechnology Research Center
Yuan Ze University2012/04/25
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About Yuan Ze University
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Yuan Ze University was established by the founder of the Far Eastern Group, Mr. Y. Z. Hsu, in 1989
Yuan Ze has grown into an elite comprehensive university with 5 colleges, 9,000 students and 700 faculty and staff.
Yuan Ze is ranked in the top 400 in Times Higher Education 2011-2012 World University Rankings
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Gerontechnology: Origin, definition, and scope Geron: from Greek, γέρων, “old man” Gerontechnology: 老人「福祉」科技 August 1991, First International Congress on Gerontechnology in Eindhoven
Netherlands, established the research structure of Gerontechnology.
International Society of Gerontechnology (ISG):
“Designing technology and environment for independent living and social participation of older persons in good health, comfort and safety.”
Scope of gerontechnology (by ISG): health, housing, mobility, communication, leisure, and work.
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Organized from 2001, GRC was officially established in January 2003, the first research institute focus in the field of gerontechnology in Taiwan.
The Chinese value of gerontechnology
曾子曰：孝子之養老也，
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Gerontechnology Research Center (GRC)
GRC designs technologies and products to provide practical solutions to the various problems of the aging society.
“To take care of the elderly parents, you should make them happy, let them do what they want, help them see well, hear well, and provide them a safe and comfortable living environment.”
(Zeng, a disciple of Confucius, about 2,500 years ago)
【禮記，內則】
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Major research projects supported by GRC國科會跨領域研究專案
Connecting homes─次世代高齡者互動式溝通平台之發展與應用 以智慧型機器人輪椅作為高齡者行動、生活與健康照護中樞 跨國頂尖研究中心－動態生醫指標暨轉譯醫學研究中心
國科會整合型計畫 長期照護機構環境下高齡者預防跌倒機制之研究 應用於遠距協同作業之多模態人機智慧型互動關鍵技術研究 建立居家環境下高齡者跌倒監測與風險評估之遠距監測系統 建立居家環境下高齡者心臟病復發預警評估系統 建立高齡者生活品質之智慧型維護系統
經濟部科技專案 出院病患之智能化創新照護服務建置計劃（敏盛） 銀髮族 U-Care旗艦計畫－去機構化之高齡者照護服務平台（敏盛） 遠距健康照護示範服務先期規劃（遠傳、亞東醫院）
十餘項產學合作計畫
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Gerontechnology Trans-dicilinary Program in YZU
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本學程的目的在培育老人福祉科技產業亟需之跨域人才，課程實施對象也設定在來自不同專業系所的學生，各課程規劃產業深入體驗活動，同時建立「產業導師」制度，輔導學生為進入產業作準備。課號 課名 學分 開課單位 備註
ME491 老人福祉科技產業學堂專題講座 1 機械系 必修GS431 老人學導論 2 通識教學部 必修GN418 老人福祉科技概論 2 通識教學部 二科必修一科ME567A 老人福祉科技 3 機械所IE220 人因工程（一） 3 工管系 選修（三選
一）SC234 老人福利 3 社政系MK308 服務行銷與管理 3 管理學院學士班
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Industry collaboration
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Major industrial partners:
GRC collaborated with Min-Sheng Healthcare on the “UCare Project”, which led to a joint start-up companySmart Care Inc. for home telehealth services.
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遠距居家照護技術台灣專利件數前五名競爭公司 /研究機構
整合國內學術界
Leading research institute in the field of gerontechnology
公司名稱 專利件數 活動年期 發明人數平均專利年齡元智大學 13 5 20 3
泰博科技 6 2 6 5
工研院 5 3 15 4
國立陽明大學 4 3 11 1
普格科技 4 2 3 5
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International collaboration
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International partners:
International Society of Gerontechnology, Sinophone Chapter
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Hosting the 9th World Congress of International Society of Gerontechnology (ISG 2014) in Taiwan
Conference theme: “Cultural and social diversity in Gerontechnology”
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GRC Development Roadmap
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Connect older adults with children, family members, care givers…
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Household
Externalsensor 1
Externalsensor 2
Externalsensor 3
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Wirelessreceiver
Internetconnection
Processor
Built-insensors
Storage
Distributed Data Server (DDS)• Embedded system based
thin server• PC-based software• Tablet app.
Centralized Database / Server(Private Cloud)
Request data
Report IP
Event alerts & regular reports
Applications
Application server Personal Health
Cloud
Social Network Service (SNS)
Patent No. US8,111,817 B2; Date of Patent: Feb, 7, 2012
Devices• SmartPhone
• Tablet• PC / NB
SNS app.
Webbrowser
Client app.
Care givers
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No.1 kitchenNo.2 bedroomNo.3 doorNo.4 bathroom
PIR
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TV USE
Activity of daily living (ADL) monitoring
Unify sensor approach: Temperature + Humidity + PIR, CT
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Fall detection? Movement classification Fall detection Estimation of energy expenditure Postural stability measurement
ZigBee RF module
Voltage regulator
PIC microcontroller
Accelerometer module
D1
D2 Blue: VT
Red: AP
Gait evaluation
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Sleep quality monitoring -- bed actigraphy
Applications in nursing homes etc.
SmartPad: Use conductive fiber to design a pressure sensor to detect movements in bed.
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Height: 39.5cm Diameter: 26cmWeight: 3.5kg Moving speed: 12cm/s
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Telepresence Robot for Interpersonal Communication (TRIC)
Our very preliminary version of “Avatar”…
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Connecting Homes – Interactive communication platform for the elderly Technical level: higher level, multi modal, interactive communication Socio-cultural level: creating the internal motivation of communication
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To let the elderly people feel like their children and caregivers are living together with them.
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intelligent Robotic Wheelchair (iRW)
iRW
Mobility
Autonomous behaviorCollaborative control
Nimble maneuver
Healthcare
Telehealth
Pressure ulcer prevention
Everyday living
Multiple DOF seat adjustment mechanism
Ergonomic seat design
Reinvent the wheelchair as the center of mobility, everyday living and healthcare of the elderly.
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GRC: The momentum is there… On the verge of a breakthrough…
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MAKE IT HAPPEN thru industrial collaboration
THEGRANDPLAN
ENLARGE PARTICIPATION of YZU professors thru academic activities.
REACH THE SINOPHONE WORLD
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Thank you
Yeh-Liang [email protected]
http://grc.yzu.edu.tw/http://designer.mech.yzu.edu.tw/
Yuan Ze University
