Testbed VILBERGEN

Important results from the project

The goal has been achieved: to create a structure for a sustainable test bed in a geographically defined area for persons of around 80 or over in their own homes, independent of the municipality. We now have a durable base of test persons with a certain set of ICT skills who can be quickly convened for a test panel/focus group or similar. In addition to this base, we are also able to contact elderly people who receive support from the municipality, as well as municipal employees

Expected long term effects

The necessary result for the number of tested products, services and work processes has been reached. There is sufficient competence to support innovators through the entire innovation chain from needs analysis to testing of the finished product. The limitation in geographical area was a success factor in creating a structure that can be developed further. There is an existing network of cooperation in the region, as well as with academia. One effect is that implementation of welfare technologies, ideas and innovation is being discussed and that the testbed is made permanent.

Approach and implementation

The biggest challenge is that we have aimed at both the consumer market and the public sector. However, the testbed has proven the importance of technical welfare solutions for the health and well-being of the elderly as an indirect method of avoiding or delaying the healthcare and nursing measures. Elderly people are a resource not only a demographic challenge. Public sector activities are bound by regulations in a way that sometimes limits innovations and other measures from private actors and enterprises; this makes it problematic for municipalities to run a test bed by themselves.