2PCS – Personal Protection and Caring System
2PCS is a life-phase oriented set of services which can be accessed through an innovative, watch-like device. The offered services take into account the individual interests and living circumstances.The goal is to combine a unique technology orchestration with innovative services tailored to individuals.
2PCS – Personal Protection and Caring System was developed to support care homes and care organisations in tackling new challenges in caring for older people and those with dementia. The project was prompted by the growing need for modern emergency call and tracking systems that ensure safety without restricting the freedom of movement of those affected.
The project resulted in an innovative mobile emergency call and tracking system that combines modern tracking and communication technologies with the requirements of professional care homes. Through a user-centred development approach, over 2,100 users from the care, social services and support sectors were involved in the development and evaluation process.
Impact in practice
Through pilot schemes in Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the system developed was tested under real-world conditions and continuously refined. The aim was to offer greater safety to people with increased care needs whilst maintaining their independence and freedom of movement.
A key outcome of the project was the establishment of 2PCS Solutions GmbH as a spin-off from the University of Innsbruck and the project consortium. The research prototype evolved into a market-ready call and location system, which is now used throughout Europe in care and support facilities. The insights gained from the project also made a significant contribution to research in the field of Active & Assisted Living and to the development of user-centred assistance systems.
| Project name | 2PCS – Personal Protection and Caring System |
| Project period | July 2011 – December 2013 |
| Funding programme | Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme (AAL JP) Call 3: ICT-based Solutions for Advancing Older People’s Independence and Participation in the Self-Service Society |
| Project lead | University of Innsbruck – Institute for Management and Marketing |
| Project partners | Eurac Research Humanocare GmbH Privatklinik Villa Melitta Curena AG & Tertianum Foundation RF-Embedded GmbH Odenwälder Kunststoffwerke Gehäusesysteme GmbH Mieloo & Alexander |
2PCS Requirements Analysis
Structural analysis and the needs of care facilities regarding the use of emergency call systems
The study was carried out in 2012 as part of the 2PCS project, led by the University of Innsbruck. A total of 1,260 specialist staff and managers from the mobile and residential care sectors in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands took part in the quantitative survey.
Questions were asked on the following topics relating to personal safety and protection in professional care:
- Structural data on the facilities and the deployment and use of technologies
- Identified risk factors and hazard areas
- Attitudes towards emergency and hazardous situations, as well as attitudes towards technical aids
- Experience with GPS devices
- Use and acceptance of traditional call systems
- Assessment of the severity and frequency of hazardous situations
- Dealing with patients with dementia who wander off
- Handling emergency calls and suggestions for improvement
- Requirements for a modern emergency and emergency call system (assessment of functions, design, form, etc.)
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