Objective
Reyedar BV, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU), and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) are working together in a public-private partnership, supported by Vilans. The goal is to jointly design and validate a wearable, dementia-friendly version of the SONDA eye-tracking system for functional facial measurements at home.
Results
The intended outcome is a version of SONDA that can be used in a home environment, for example on a laptop or tablet, as part of providing the right care in the right place.
Approach
The research involves industrial research to develop and adapt the system based on user requirements, as well as experimental research to test it in practice. In collaboration with people with dementia, informal caregivers, and healthcare professionals, we are working on a user-friendly system. A pilot study will also assess whether the system is practical and comfortable to use in a home setting.
Education impact
A novel, real-world application of eye-tracking in home-based dementia care offers new opportunities. By shifting functional vision assessments from clinical to home settings, the project supports a transition to timely, lower-cost, decentralized care (“juiste zorg op de juiste plek” principle). The co-design approach ensures inclusive design and broad applicability, positioning the technology for follow-up clinical studies and potential integration into dementia care guidelines. In the longer term, the technology contributes to enhanced personalized and proactive care, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and enabling people with dementia to live safely at home for longer.
HU researchers involved in the research
Collaboration with knowledge partners
Co-funding
The DEMTECH – DEMentia TECHnology – program is a Public-Private-Partnership and joint initiative between the UMCG, Alzheimer Nederland, Vilans, Hanze, Eindhoven University of Technology and FME.
The DEMTECH PPP program is made possible via the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) subsidy scheme introduced by the Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation - Life Sciences & Health (TKI-LSH aka Health~Holland). The program contributes to the Dutch goal of 25% improvement in quality of life for persons living with dementia in 2030.
