Silvia Imbesi – författare

This book reports on an inclusive design project aimed at developing IoT-based wearable devices for special populations. Specifically, it covers the design, the implementation and testing of a smart mHealth system that uses sensory cues to monitor and train the gait and posture of people with Parkinson’s disease. It presents a user-centred strategy to better involve the users in defining the most suitable type of sensory cues and their combination, and in the design of the user interface, at the purpose of developing a gait tutoring system that better fits users’ needs and requirements. All in all, this book offers extensive information on the state-of-the-art in the design and testing of innovative user-centred mHealth systems. Giving a particular attention to the explanation of the tools and methodological choices, it provides readers with a timely reference guide to understand and deal with complex inclusive design projects.

The book presents the state of the art of the Internet of Things (IoT), applied to Human-Centered Design (HCD) projects addressed to ageing users, from the perspective of health, care and well-being. The current focus on the ageing population is opening up new opportunities for the development of niche solutions aimed at the niche category of older users who are beginning to experience physical and cognitive decline but are still independent and need to maintain their autonomy for as long as possible. The combination between the needs expressed by older users and the opportunities offered by the recent innovative technologies related to the Internet of Things allows research institutions, stakeholders, and academia to target and design new solutions for older users, safeguarding their well-being, health, and care, improving their quality of life.

The book examines the current state of mHealth and Human-Centered Design (HCD) initiatives toward health, care, and well-being. The present surge in interest in improving people''s quality of life is creating new prospects for the development of innovative design solutions aimed at enhancing living conditions. The combination of emerging user needs and opportunities provided by recent innovative mHealth technologies enables research institutions, stakeholders, and academia to design new solutions to promote well-being, health, and care, thereby improving the quality of life of people of all ages. The book analyzes and discusses the most innovative services, products, and systems in the healthcare field. This strategy is in line with the concept of ambient assisted living or enhanced living environment, which focuses on the comfort and health of specific categories of users.

Furthermore, the covered topics are described in their current applications in relevant fields focusing on the design of smart solutions, such as biomonitoring systems, activity recognition tools, smart living environments, physical autonomy, and virtual assistance.

This editorial project is addressed to academics, designers, engineers, and practitioners in health care who want to promote cooperation between academia, stakeholders, and research institutions.