Fraunhofer Center for Assistive Information and Communication Solutions – AICOSRicardo Moutinho, researcher from Fraunhofer Portugal, is one of the 5 finalists of the World Summit Awards Mobile (WSA), considered the Oscars of the Mobile Apps, in the category of m-Inclusion and Empowerment, with the Project AlzNav, an application for Android. It consists of a system of localization and navigation, designed for senior population and people in initial state of dementia.
The AlzNav has been selected among more than 435 projects, coming from over 100 countries.
The main goal of AlzNav is to provide more autonomy to its user, allowing him more security when leaving home. It allows, among other things, to define a security area where the senior can move around freely. When the limits of this security are overstepped, the application sends an alert to the designed family member or care provider. It also works as a simplified navigation system, allowing to drive the senior home very easily.
The WSA are the world´s largest event in the area of mobile apps. They are held every two years and their main goal is to select and distinguish innovative mobile applications, capable to transform the daily life of its users.
The aim is to support the institutions that develop innovative digital applications that, for their quality and content, can help the creation of a real educational, scientific and cultural heritage
Promoted by the International Center for New Media (INCM) in Salzburg, the WSA are an international non-profit event, supported by the United Nations. The prize-giving ceremony will be held between the 3rd and the 5th February 2013, in Abu Dhabi.
Previously, the ALzNav was one of the top three projects of the contest “Vodafone Foundation Smart Accessibility Awards” in 2011. The application is already available in the Android market.
More info about the Project in: http://alznav.projects.fraunhofer.pt.