Care and Mobility Innovation - Living well cared for and intelligently mobile

The "Care and Mobility Innovation" project develops solutions for living well cared for and intelligently mobile in the innovation hub of the Aachen region. The aim of the project is to transfer digital and technical innovations, products, services and processes into the healthcare and mobility of the future. Cross-innovations between the two sectors are also important. In addition, the aim is to attract and secure skilled workers in the healthcare sector. In 2022 alone, a total of twelve innovation partnerships were launched.
In the "Care and Mobility Innovation" project, partners from science, business and local authorities from the entire Aachen economic region have joined forces on an interdisciplinary basis. Their common motto: "How do we want to live in the future? - Well cared for and intelligently mobile in the innovation hub of the Aachen region". Together, they are pursuing the goal of not only achieving more economic growth through innovation transfer, but also improving the lives of people in the region.

Numerous projects have emerged from the link

Digital medicine and networked, automated mobility have been the focus of the region since 2017. As cross-industry collaborations and the transfer of solutions from one industry to another are particularly promising in times of ever-shorter innovation cycles, the project was particularly geared towards cross-innovation. The numerous projects that have already emerged from the project show that this link was the right one. These include drones with a defibrillator on board and a direct line to the emergency doctor, which are the first to reach the scene before the emergency services. Or the use of care shuttles, especially in rural areas, to ensure the provision of care.

Innovations for the future of healthcare

Innovation partnerships are at the heart of Care and Mobility Innovation. Regional innovation drivers and users in healthcare and mobility planning such as companies, research institutions, mobility managers, hospitals, retirement homes, doctors' surgeries and transport associations work together. They develop business models from ideas for healthcare and mobility provision with the support of Care and Mobility. For example, for care in rural areas with medical shuttles, a stair-climbing wheelchair for patient transportation and the rehabilitation of the future with sensor technology, robotics and artificial intelligence.
In addition, the partners have also launched other projects to improve care, such as the Smart Care and Mobility platform in the Heinsberg district and Aachen city region, the mobility concept for the Düren innovation district, mobility apps for people with disabilities to participate in local public transport and an image campaign to attract skilled workers. The virtual medical home visits with teleconsultation in retirement and nursing homes in the district of Euskirchen are based on approaches that have already been developed and scientifically tested in the AIDA project.

Ecologically, socially and economically sustainable

Based on an online survey, interviews, regional dialogues, strategy workshops and the analysis of regional studies, the project partners are presenting the innovation report "Care and Mobility in 2030 - Innovations for the region of tomorrow" at the end of the "Care and Mobility Innovation" project. The innovation report looks ahead and makes suggestions for the digital transformation in the healthcare industry and in mobility and logistics:

• What adjustments must the Aachen region and North Rhine-Westphalia as a location for science and innovation make in order to be optimally equipped for current and future challenges in the lead markets?
• How can regional strengths from science and industry be better utilized?
• And how can digital and technical innovations for the region of tomorrow be incorporated into the supply chain?

With the help of the experts' expertise, the aim is to establish high-quality healthcare with innovations from the region, a model region for the digital healthcare industry with new business models and networked, shared mobility and logistics that are ecologically, socially and economically sustainable by 2030.