Description

This chapter analyses some of the factors influencing people’s motivations to use activity monitoring and ambient assisted technology systems by looking at the perspectives of older/disabled people, informal carers and professional stakeholders. The case study illustrated in this chapter offers an example of good practice in participatory research in relation to ambient assisted living: the Smart Distress Monitor (SDM) project. Successful involvement of older/disabled people in this kind of research is key to success in achieving the study aims. This is particularly true for research revolving around ambient assisted living technologies. Involving older/disabled people as co-researchers facilitates a system development that can be more effective insofar it accurately reflect their experiences, motivation and perspectives.