Plans for a new €30 million research centre to address the challenges of "independent living" for older people were unveiled today.
The Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) Centre - funded by Intel with the support of the IDA - will bring together experts from several leading Irish universities to work on projects and develop new technologies for older people.
The centre will be run from Intel's Leixlip hub but will have not fixed location.
The focus will be on "improving social health and community engagement for older people, detecting and preventing falls in the home, and helping those with memory loss to maintain their independence," Intel said.
General manager of Intel's health research and innovation group Eric Dishman said: "We have to invent a new way to care for our planet's aging population. Current healthcare systems are not equipped to face the epidemic of age-related illnesses and injuries that are coming.
He said: "Information and communication technologies offer us a means to prevent disease and injury, to detect problems earlier before they become catastrophes, to help older people better manage their own health conditions at home, and to personalise care to their unique needs and preferences."
