Small lot sizes in modern manufacturing present new challenges for people doing manual assembly tasks. Assistive systems, including context-aware instruction systems and collaborative robots, can support people to manage the increased flexibility, while also reducing the number of errors. Although there has been much research in this area, these solutions are not yet widespread in companies. This paper aims to give a better understanding of the strengths and limitations of the different technologies with respect to their practical implementation in companies, both to give insight into which technologies can be used in practice and to suggest directions for future research. The paper gives an overview of the state of the art and then describes new technological solutions designed for companies to illustrate the current status and future needs. The information provided demonstrates that, although a lot of technologies are currently being investigated and discussed, many of them are not yet at a level that they can be implemented in practice.

This paper presents the results of an online survey conducted in Austria that aimed at investigating the application of user-centered design (UCD) methods in projects developing technologies that support older adults in their everyday lives. We explored which methods are known to teams, which methods have been applied in projects developing active and assisted living (AAL) technologies and the perceived suitability of these methods. The questionnaire considered methods for three different phases within the development process: gathering information about needs, communicating these needs to the developers and evaluating systems. Furthermore, we explored which stakeholders are included in gathering information about needs and in evaluating systems. The results show that more general methods that are not specific to UCD, such as interviews and questionnaires, are widely used. Older users were included in most projects, particularly for the evaluation. There was, however, an indication that the information about the needs collected may not be successfully communicated to the developers. Overall, the results support the need to spread information about the breadth of methods available and their suitability to people involved in developing these types of technologies.

Assistive technologies, such as telecare monitoring applications installed in the home, are being promoted to help reduce pressure on health care systems caused by an aging population and as such promise a large market for new products. However, despite many projects undertaken by commercial companies, and despite significant investments both by the companies and by national and international funding programs in the EU, such systems are not widespread. This paper reports on a retrospective study of the development of one early system, HandyHelper. We were interested in what challenges the development team faced and why the system is no longer on the market. Qualitative research methods were applied, including document analysis and interviews of key people involved in its development. Even though the system worked technically, the input of older users was sought, and a pilot installation was run, the development was stopped. The findings from a thematic analysis point to complex issues. Some problems were avoidable, e.g., by providing more support for new users, though other problems point to inherent tensions, such as the different needs of sensor-based security features and interactive services aimed at the older users. Yet other aspects are outside of the developer’s control, such as available public funding. We summarize these findings and suggest lessons learnt for future projects.

Although the development of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies is being financed to support older people, there are not many systems on the market to date. Other studies have tried to understand this by looking at user acceptance issues. However, by looking only at the user acceptance, we may miss important aspects to explain why systems went wrong in the first place. To understand this, we consulted with people directly involved in the development of AAL. In this study, input was gained from experts through workshops and an interactive poster. We present the common issues reported across various AAL development projects that experts thought were most important to success or failure of projects. We also describe some ideas from people with experience in AAL for solving some of these problems.

This paper describes a graph traversal-based method for automating system-wide programming of differential fault protection and generation of fault isolation steps in MVDC shipboard power systems (SPS). Automation is highly desired due to the increased complexity of isolating faults using disconnect switches rather than breakers. The method in this paper describes the derivation of a graph abstraction from the electrical system that is then used for computing a minimal but sufficient isolation sequence consisting of commands issued to breakers and switching converters.