HomeMate - Assisted Autonomy Project for Autistic People

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The 411: Investor Opportunity - Assisted Autonomy for Autistic People

Found on: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1416722193/homemate-assisted-autonomy-project-for-autistic-pe?ref=category&ref=discovery&term=environment

HomeMate aims to create intelligent environments to foster the autonomy of autistic people.

HomeMate helps with managing daily life but offers far more than a virtual home-help.

HomeMate adapts to the personal habits and goals of autistic people in order to foster the development of autonomy and improve quality of life.

Each autistic person will receive follow-up from an expert, the "Life Mentor", who is able to establish routines and goals. 

HomeMate activity will be set and managed by the "Life Mentor".

HomeMate will support autistic people at many times in their everyday lives:

• Virtual secretary: Recalling appointments and daily routines (going shopping, taking medication, ...);

• Supporting leisure time management: for people with autism, free time can easily become a "void" if left unstructured. HomeMate will suggest leisure activities in line with personal preferences;

• Household management and security (switching lights on and off, adjusting the temperature in the house, ...);

• Planning meals to ensure a balanced and nutritious diet;

• Other related support.

HomeMate will alert support or emergency services should danger arise, such as in the event of: 

• Falls; 

• Absence of movement detected;

• Gas leaks or fires;

HomeMate may also intervene in the event of behaviour that is potentially harmful or not in line with set life goals, such as: 

• Watching TV until late at night; 

• Playing music at too high a volume; 

• Going to bed too late;

HomeMate is not controlling or a strict authority figure.

HomeMate approach will be flexible, seeking to allow maximum personal freedom. The "Life Mentor" will program HomeMate in a way that respects the individual’s desire for self-determination. Our goal is to garantee autistic people an autonomy, assisted by technology.

The person can interact with the HomeMate with voice commands using an app installed on a tablet or a smathphone.

Home Technology

HomeMate will provide a complete picture of the house thanks to the installation of various types of sensors (e.g. presence, motion, temperature) for the automated control of:

 • heating and air conditioning; 

• lighting; 

 • Surveillance, video intercom entry and anti-intrusion systems.

Some of these sensors can be an inexpensive addition to any home, while others can only be included as part of a fully integrated system.

  

Mixed Team

Nevertheless, the main challenge is to use the available technology to develop a bespoke system around the specific requirements of persons on the autistic spectrum. The HomeMate project therefore requires input from a mixed team, which must include engineers, psychologists and educational experts.