Journey to Understanding: Exploring the LIFE Home at UIUC’s AHS

October 30, 2023

The College of Applied Health Science (AHS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is steadfast in its mission: "We promote culturally relevant individual and community health and well-being across the lifespan, facilitate optimal living with disability, and foster the development of livable communities in a diverse society through learning, discovery, and engagement." Within AHS, there are three major departments, each dedicated to this mission: 1) Kinesiology and Community Health, 2) Interdisciplinary Health Science, and 3) Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. Additionally, AHS houses specialized programs and centers, such as Speech and Hearing and the Center on Health, Aging, and Disability, and the Chez Veteran Center.

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AHS takes great pride in its teaching and research endeavors, all of which are guided by the overarching goal of building healthier communities, enhancing the quality of our lives, and creating a more inclusive society.

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Intrigued by the missions of the College of Applied Health Science (AHS) and recognizing its shared vision with the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in the field of healthcare for humanity, I was drawn to the recent symposium at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This symposium was co-organized by NYCU and UIUC's Carle Illinois College of Medicine and delved into the vital intersection of medicine and humanity. Inspired by this event, I decided to pay a visit to the LIFE Home within AHS.

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LIFE Home, an acronym for "Living in Interactive Future Environments," stands as a cutting-edge research center dedicated to advancing innovations in home environments. Supported by the generous McKechnie Family Foundation, this facility serves as a showcase for presently available smart-home technologies while actively fostering the development of next-generation smart homes. The ultimate goal is to enable individuals of all ages and abilities to lead more enriched, healthier, and autonomous lives.

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From an external perspective, LIFE Home may appear no different from a standard residence or a small business office. However, once you step inside, you are greeted by a home simulation space that includes a bedroom, den, kitchen/dining area, bathroom, and laundry area. These spaces, along with laboratory areas, are thoughtfully equipped to facilitate a wide range of

activities, including rapid prototyping of technologies, participant interviews, remote presence research, educational initiatives, and training activities. The collaborative spaces provide a hub for research teams, industry partners, clinicians, and for community engagement. The facility provides avenues for community outreach and engagement with industry partners.

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At the core of LIFE Home's research and development efforts lies a diverse range of subjects focused on enhancing in-home activities to promote an improved quality of life and increased independence. These research areas encompass healthcare needs, social interaction, and everyday activities that can be augmented by new technologies, thereby facilitating independent living. Notable examples include innovations such as smart fireplaces, mobile manipulator robots, telehealth robots, social robots, digital home assistants, and virtual reality applications.

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The bathroom is a vital space that demands both functionality and safety. With extra attention to design, it has been crafted to minimize accidents and promptly alert others in the event of an emergency. The photographs illustrate the inclusion of handlebars and a spacious floor layout, making the facility exceptionally welcoming for individuals with physical impairments. Slip-resistant tiles have been chosen for the flooring to mitigate the risk of slips and falls, and a network of alarms is strategically placed to ensure immediate assistance in times of need.

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A prominent feature within the LIFE Home is the diverse arrange of robots, each with distinct functions. While many of these robots are currently available on the commercial market, they have been repurposed for specific uses, and ongoing development seeks to enhance their capabilities to offer entirely new and unique functions. For instance, the stuffed seal resting on the bed is a robot designed for comfort, the stuffed seal resting on the bed is a robot designed for comfort, capable of interacting with humans. In the fireplace room, an exploratory project aims to provide a space that calms the mind and relaxes the body.

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In the kitchen, modern appliances have been adapted to meet the evolving needs of users. The refrigerator, for instance, can display the contents and their expiration dates on a screen, ensuring efficient management of stored food. Both the range and oven are equipped for remote control and voice activation, as is the microwave oven. Additionally, a range of robots is at your service, from those capable of serving a cup of coffee to guiding individuals on walks, even in darkness.

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The LIFE Home uses VR and AR for social interaction, entertainment, and exercise, demonstrating its innovative use of technology to aid individuals with various needs.

The facility in the LIFE Home is an interdisciplinary campus hub for activities related to technologies for health, independence and quality of life, including all the following and beyond: In-home Sensors, Wearables, Human Computer Interfaces, Telehealth, Extended Reality, Assistive Devices, Indoor Climate Technologies, Smart Appliances, Rehabilitation, Robotics, etc. etc.

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This journey to understand the LIFE Home resonates with me, and I believe it holds familiarity for many members of the NYCU faculty and students. At NYCU, we are deeply engaged in education, research, and the application of various devices and technologies for healthcare. One noteworthy initiative is NYCU's commitment to developing a Smart Hospital, a remarkable endeavor that seamlessly integrates engineering and medicine. This innovative approach also involves the education of a new generation of professionals, including Physician/Engineer and Physician/Scientist, who share a common vision and mission. Interestingly, this mission closely mirrors the AHS mission: to promote culturally relevant individual and community health, facilitate optimal living with disabilities, and foster the creation of sustainable communities in a diverse society through the avenues of learning, discovery, and engagement. This alignment in vision and purpose is a testament to the shared commitment of institutions like NYCU and UIUC AHS to enhance healthcare and well-being for all.

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Yes, behind the effort of LIFE Home are human, faculty, staff and students. I am grateful to Dean Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell of AHS (middle), Director Wendy Rogers of LIFE Home for their invitation to the joyful and fruitful journey.