A Mobility Indoor Solution Based on the Affective State Evaluation: The E-MOTIVE Project About the Empowering Mobility with Affective Computing, Brain-Computer Interface, Internet of Things, and Vital Signs Monitoring for Smart Wheelchairs

The ongoing demographic transition, characterized by a projected rise in the old-age dependency ratio from 28% to 50% by the year 2060, indicates that age-related illnesses will provide a significant issue in the future. In this perspective, the development of advanced healthcare services could be fundamental to lighten the economic and logistic burden of the National Healthcare System when dealing with ageing and disabilities. The objective of the proposed work, promoted by the E-MOTIVE project, is to develop a technological solution able to support older individuals and people with special needs in their autonomous mobility. The aim is to create innovative solutions for smart wheelchairs able to improve mobility for elderly people and patients with motor disabilities by monitoring physiological signals, health condition, and the affective state of the users. The proposed approach integrates a smart wheelchair with a physiological computational module, composed of co-registered RGB and Infrared Cameras, with integrated artificial intelligence algorithms for affective computing. The integration with the physiological computational module should create a support able of understanding human needs and offering assistance during the navigation, monitoring the most relevant health and emotional information. Moreover, the smart wheelchair will be equipped with a tablet to administer cognitive tests. The study aims also to showcase the technical viability, social acceptability, and economic sustainability of the proposed solution in elder care facilities and home environments.