Innovative Technology-Based Services

Technological innovative solutions in person-related services are at the core of this project. The economic landscapes of modern, developed economies are dominated by large services sectors, whether in the industrial or in the tertiary sector. Many of these services offered in the services sectors have a direct reference to person-related services. Moreover, person-related services are very analogous and interactive activities. The mechanisation and digitalisation of work in person-related services in particular are therefore more and more prevailing. The resulting need for the design of solutions in this area is one key focus of the institute's work.

So ist das iso-Institut bei der Entwicklung von technikgestützten Begleitdiensten im Öffentlichen Personennahverkehr führend. Weitere Schwerpunkte sind „Alter und Pflege“ (etwa im Bereich der Techniknutzung in der Pflege oder sog. Alltagsunterstützender Assistenzsysteme - AAL) und die Entwicklungen im Dienstleistungssektor, die Verknüpfung von Produktions- und Dienstleistungssektor sowie die sozialwissenschaftliche Technikforschung. Dabei geht es stets auch um eine menschengerechte Gestaltung von Technologien im Bereich der Mensch-Technik-Interaktion.

The approach used in the course of this work is “services first”: i.e. before creating new services or technology-based service systems, the expectations on and the link between the service users and the service providers have to be determined. If there is no acceptance of the new approaches to the usual practices on the part of customers or patients and on the part of the service providers, innovations have no chance. Consequently, when designing services, both users and providers must always and fully be involved at a early stage.

Our institute has conducted numerous works in this field among others with networks of research projects as "meta-projects". Assistance technologies and services that support everyday life or person-related services for rare diseases, here with special reference to ALS, are few examples.

In this project field, for a successful R&D of innovative services, the cooperation with other disciplines (such as computer science, medicine, nursing science) and with representatives of social institutions (such as companies and social associations) is indispensable. 

Current Projects

Completed Projects in Recent Years