Abstract :
The aging society and the resulting demographical changes present one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. To successfully cope with these emerging problems requires immediate action e.g. the development of assistance systems. Technical assistance systems will help elderly people to remain active at home, at work, on the road, as well as in communication with their environment. Since technology-based innovations can only be successful if they actually reach people, an interdisciplinary approach is followed to support engineering and science chairs and bodies with concept development and evaluation. In his speech, Prof Gerhäuser will introduce examples and developments from Fraunhofer and from the Bavarian Research Association “FitForAge” to show how new approaches and assistance systems can meet the needs of the aging Society.