AI-supported assistance system Auxilio starts pilot project in Linz

AI-supported assistance system Auxilio starts pilot project in Linz

We live in a time when innovative technologies are increasingly finding their way into our everyday lives, especially in areas that are crucial to our society. An exciting project has started in Linz that aims to support the care of older people through the use of an intelligent assistance system. This system, known as “Auxilio”, is being tested in various real-world environments to make everyday care easier and reduce the burden on relatives.

The background to this project is the increasing need for care, which not only requires sufficient training of staff, but also new approaches to make the work of nurses more efficient. The project “Sensor technology, care and AI – practical application in three settings”, which is being carried out by Diakoniewerk Syncare GmbH, aims to develop intelligent technologies that enable older people to live independently in their familiar surroundings for longer. The funding comes from the “Upper Austrian Care Technology Fund”, which supports innovative solutions to support nursing staff.

Goals and financing of the project

The total budget for this project is 149,000 euros, with the costs being split evenly between the state of Upper Austria and the city of Linz. The Linz local council has already approved 74,500 euros to advance the implementation of the project.

The “Auxilio” system is more than just a smart gadget. It is designed to learn and adapt users' daily habits through sensors and actuators. It detects movements, monitors the functioning of electrical devices and ensures the safety of residents. Should an emergency occur, such as a fall, the system can immediately sound the alarm and notify predefined contact persons or emergency services.

Test locations in Linz

A total of 25 “Auxilio” systems are being tested in three different facilities in Linz: a Diakoniewerk senior citizens’ home on Körnerstrasse, in assisted living in the “Diakonissen Linz residential park” on Weißenwolffstrasse, and in private households that are supported by Diakoniewerk mobile services.

A key goal of these tests is the continuous improvement of the technology in order to effectively support the work of professionals in the social sector and optimize their processes. The project manager Monika Hochreiter emphasizes the importance of this initiative: "The use of AI and in particular intelligent assistance systems such as the 'Auxilio' we use has been used successfully in Germany for a long time. We would now like to make this system known in Austria and are happy that the project can be successfully implemented thanks to the cooperation with our partners." These developments are of central importance for the future of care.