Future of homecare: Innovations on display at ACE’s European showcases

Healthcare providers, municipal representatives, and solution providers in Belgium gathered for a showcase at the Thomas More campus in Turnhout on September 10th, fostering collaboration and introducing innovative technologies designed to transform homecare. The event created an inspiring environment for all involved, allowing all 140 attendees to explore a wide range of solutions addressing current and future challenges. 

Reactions like “I had no idea this existed” and “Could you organise this every year?” demonstrate the need to bring innovations closer to people and connect various stakeholders in healthcare. This was the aim of LiCalab, who organised the showcase featuring 30 exhibitors. Visitors engaged enthusiastically, listening to presentations and testing products firsthand. 

ACE consortium member Annouck De Cat (LiCalab/Thomas More), stated, “In ACE, we organised workshops to identify the needs and challenges in homecare. We learned that many people are unaware of available homecare innovations. Therefore, the showcase is a crucial first step in bringing innovations closer to the public and connecting different stakeholders in homecare.”   

On September 26th, over 500 people visited the new cultural centre in Höganäs, Sweden, to explore the welfare technology of the future. Twelve exhibitors presented innovative solutions designed to support elderly care. 

Among the visitors were many elderly citizens, decision-makers, and employees from the municipality and Höganäs Omsorg AB. Pensioner organisations also attended to discover future solutions.    

Among the many attendees were Anita Augustsson, 78, and Folke Lindau, 77, from Helsingborg. “We were pleasantly surprised by the event; it’s exciting to see the development and activity in this field. We help an elderly neighbour and are here for that reason, but it’s also essential to stay informed and plan for oneself. That’s our responsibility,” said Anita Augustsson. 

Biotech Santé Bretagne and CoWork'HIT organised a showcase on September 19th at the Kerpape rehabilitation centre in Ploemeur. A total of 14 solutions were demonstrated, including both French solutions and other North Sea region innovations. 

Anthony Chevallier, founder of BeClean, presented adaptable washers and dryers that can be retrofitted into existing home bathrooms without extensive modifications. This innovation allows individuals with limited mobility to maintain autonomy without altering their homes’ toilets. Chevallier highlighted how the event enabled him to connect with healthcare professionals and occupational therapists who validated the importance of his innovation, as well as patients who expressed a clear need for it. “I was delighted to present BeClean’s innovation—washers and dryers adaptable to existing toilets. The feedback from health professionals and patients was incredibly positive,” Chevallier said. 

On September 27th, HAN University of Applied Sciences hosted a showcase of the "Empathic Home," an innovative living environment—or living lab—designed to help residents with early dementia maintain their independence. Located at De Kleefse Waard industrial park, the Empathic Home employs smart technologies such as adaptive lighting, sound, and visual cues to guide residents through daily routines and address the challenges associated with dementia. 

The Empathic Home Living Lab explores how advanced home technologies can foster self-reliance and reduce the need for constant caregiver supervision, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents with chronic conditions. 

The showcase emphasised the power of collaboration across healthcare, technology, and construction sectors in creating homes that not only support but actively care for vulnerable individuals. The designs extend beyond dementia patients, also catering to people with disabilities and other long-term care needs. Valuable feedback from participants, including Precies!, Netwerk Dementie Eindhoven, Comfor, and Anna Zorggroep, will inform further improvements to the prototypes. 

Another innovative solution presented was the “wake technology” developed by Danish company Teton.ai. This sensor-based technology monitors residents without invasive camera surveillance. Rather than detailed images of individuals, the system renders people as cartoon-like figures, preserving privacy while effectively tracking activities, such as how long a resident has been out of bed. This breakthrough ensures compliance with data protection laws while offering valuable monitoring capabilities. 

The event concluded with a guided tour of the welfare technology exhibition DokkX—a collaborative space for innovation where education and research institutions, businesses, the Municipality, and Aarhus citizens can work together to develop technological solutions for the future.