Supporting the design of AAL through a SW integration framework: The D4All project

Contemporary design is characterized by the paradigm shift from a one-size-fits-all, oriented to the standard man, to an holistic and inclusive one-size-fits-one, that takes into account the full range of human diversity. Following the new paradigm, the "Design for All" Italian research project aims at realizing an effective demonstrator of a framework that promotes a design of an AAL oriented to the real individual, considering everybody in his peculiarities. On the one hand, the framework handles the knowledge about the home environment, also through innovative approaches aimed at modeling specific scenarios representing the relevant states of the individuals (situation and context awareness). On the other hand, it allows various software tools supporting the entire home's life cycle to exchange the knowledge in a smart manner. Mainly focused on interoperability aspects, the paper describes the motivations behind the "Design for All" project concepts, together with the goals and the first findings. Finally, it presents a demonstration scenario that aims at testing and validating the framework. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.