The Interdisciplinary Focus Healthy Living and Aging (IdS HELA) hosted a networking event in St. Gallen on 13 May 2025. The event brought together researchers from OST with external experts and their expertise. I had the opportunity to present our project idea ‘CommunityBot’ to over 30 participants from all seven departments of OST as well as external guests – a lively interdisciplinary exchange. The open atmosphere and shared commitment made the three-hour event a real highlight in the HELA process.
Tag: agetech
“CommunityBot” Pitch for HELA-Call
The Interdisciplinary Focus Healthy Living and Aging (IdS HELA) hosted a networking event in St. Gallen on 13 May 2025. The event brought together researchers from OST with external experts and their expertise. I had the opportunity to present our project idea ‘CommunityBot’ to over 30 participants from all seven departments of OST as well as external guests – a lively interdisciplinary exchange. The open atmosphere and shared commitment made the three-hour event a real highlight in the HELA process.
Digital Inclusion in Later Life – Shaping the Future Together
At the AIAS – THE MULTIGENERATION LAB Digital Inclusion Conference in Zurich, I had the pleasure of representing our Institute for Ageing Research IAF with a booth and a pitch. I presented our project “Alfred”, which explores new approaches to improving digital inclusion for older adults.
Together with the team from Altertainment, we had many inspiring conversations and received valuable feedback. I was especially encouraged by the strong interest in ageing research and the openness to innovative technologies that support independent living in later life.
My key takeaway from the afternoon and the insightful panel discussion:
👉 In addition to accessible digital solutions and skills development, we urgently need greater political focus on this socially and economically relevant issue.
A big thank you to the organizers – I’m taking away many new ideas and look forward to continued collaboration in the field of Digital Inclusion! 🌍✨
How Artificial Intelligence Helps Us Stay Young
As part of the Deutschlandfunk series “Understanding AI”, I had the pleasure of speaking with Carina Schroeder about our current project Alfred. We are testing the independent use of Altertainment‘s voice-based AI chatbot with residents of the Wohnen am Singenberg retirement home. The project is funded by an Innosuisse innovation cheque.
In the podcast episode “AI for Seniors” (starting at minute 15:55), I share insights from our research at the Institute for Ageing Research IAF, including:
🔹 the unique challenges of developing AI for older adults,
🔹 technological barriers in care and retirement homes,
🔹 and first impressions from our real-world testing of the AI companion Alfred.
💡 It was an inspiring conversation about how AI can support active and independent living in later life.
🎧 The episode is now available (in German) on Deutschlandfunk, ARD Audiothek, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music:
Mini-Congress on Research and Ageing with the Age Innovation Prize 2024 Award
The recent Mini-Congress on Research and Ageing that I organized for our Institute for Ageing Research IAF brought together researchers, innovators, and thought leaders to explore the future of ageing. Attendees were inspired by keynote speeches from Dr. Thomas Münzer and Prof. Dr. Guido M. Schuster, setting the stage for a day of engaging dialogue and discovery.
The event culminated in the awarding of the Age Innovation Prize 2024, celebrating outstanding contributions to ageing-related innovation. The winning teams—FlexAssist, Silver Bridge, and SIGMA-beSerious—presented their pioneering solutions, joined by other shortlisted projects including ageJOY, Alfred by Altertainment, and Quartier+.
Exhibitors and participants had the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas on cutting-edge research and practical applications. The AGE-INT program was also well represented, with research clusters from Swiss universities showcasing work on dementia, social inclusion, technologies for older adults, and employment in retirement.
🔜 I’m already looking ahead to the Age Innovation Prize 2025, launching at the end of January. #StayTuned for more innovation and inspiration!
Age Innovation Prize 2023: Award Ceremony!
On 8 November, the Age Innovation Prize 2023 was awarded for the first time by the IAF Institute for Ageing Research at OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences together with Switzerland Innovation Park East and EY. Three winning innovations with the potential to improve the lives of older people were honoured.
In spring 2023, I was the main organiser of the Age Innovation Prize for its first edition. We called for submissions of products and ideas that have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of older people and promote their independence, autonomy, quality of life or health. The diverse jury (AGE-INT, Switzerland Innovation Park Ost, Ernst & Young, IBM, SBB, City of Zurich, University of Geneva, SUPSI, Centre for Gerontology at the University of Zurich) selected three winners from among numerous award-worthy submissions.
The winners in three categories were chosen on 8 November 2023 as part of the lecture series “Focus on Health: Strategies for a Long and Healthy Life” at the Switzerland Innovation Park East in St. Gallen:
- Best product 2023: Mobilization device “Pegasus Spine” by MovementSciences Inc.
- Best start-up 2023: BIOS Medical with their implanted hip mobility sensor “HIPbeacon”
- Best project idea: MIMO Radar from the ESA Institute for Electronics, Sensors and Actuators (Departement Technik of OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences)
I am looking forward to the next edition of the Age Innovation Prize, which will once again be organized throughout Switzerland in 2024.
Age Innovation Prize 2023: Call for Innovation!
This year for the very first time a call for innovative products and ideas in AgeTech will be launched today!
Continue reading Age Innovation Prize 2023: Call for Innovation!