A Holistic Approach to Interpreting Human States in Smart Environments Providing High Quality of Life

We formulate a concept of a future smart environment for high quality of life (SEQUAL) that would empower humans to compensate for physical and cognitive disabilities associated with sickness and aging. In SEQUAL the assessment of the state of ‘well-being’ - from behaviors and biological signals - is holistic, meaning that the estimation of individual’s health, emotional condition, activity and wishes, are from the beginning determined in relation to each other and in (individual’s own) context, with superior results compared to when estimated independent from each other, as in common practice. Similarly, the prediction of a person’s future condition, intentions, future needs, and actions/treatment/interventions are determined holistically. SEQUAL includes robots, mobility systems and assistive devices for physical intervention, as well as remote professional caregivers, family and friends, to provide intelligent assistance and support network, aiming for higher quality of life for both patient and caregiver.