- Diversiverso Capsule: an itinerant “laboratory” for older people or those with disabilities to learn about and promote the use of technologies that can help them
- As part of the VIVEMAIS project, co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027 Programme
On the border between Spain and Portugal, the population is very old and frequently lives in small, isolated towns and villages. For this reason, care is very difficult to organise. Without good care at home, many older people end up having to leave their towns and homes to go to the city or a care home. A UN report (2022) states that Assistive Technologies (AT) (technological aids) can change lives, but almost no one uses them or investigates them sufficiently.
The VIVEMAIS project is born under one premise: technology can help older people, especially on the Spanish-Portuguese border, to continue living in their homes and communities. One way to provide good care at home and prevent people from leaving is by using innovation and AT (such as advanced telecare or sensors).
However, even though technology helps, older people are unfamiliar with it or do not know how to use it when they have it. It is essential to ensure that people trust it and know how to operate it.
What is Being Done? (VIVEMAIS Project)
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VIVEMAIS is a project that brings together companies and the public sector to promote the research and development (R&D) of these ATs.
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It is based on the previous work of another group called Integr@tención, which was already a European reference point (or leader), approved in POCTEP 2014-2020.
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The Main Objective: The project aims for young researchers to create AT that overcomes two obstacles:
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That the researched technology genuinely reaches the shops/market.
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That the technology in the shops/market is easy to use so that older people adopt it.
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The Diversiverso Capsule
VIVEMAIS offers better access to supporting technologies for older people and/or people with disabilities. Furthermore, it improves R&D capabilities with integrated research between public-private collaboration in Spain and Portugal.
The objective of the itinerant “Living Lab” (Diversiverso Capsule) is to showcase supporting technologies on the Spain-Portugal border with professional accompaniment. This constitutes a unique tool that brings innovation closer and allows for testing 8 new technological solutions created by young researchers, as well as existing technologies, enabling the companies behind these technologies to improve their products and processes based on real feedbacK.
Between April and July 2025, the VIVEMAIS project brought innovation to communities, promoting the co-creation of assistive technologies and the meeting between generations. It featured 361 participants, 42 activities, 14 tested technologies, 3 prototypes developed by young innovators, and 1 itinerant Fablab in action.
The Living Lab is based on a methodology of co-creation applied to older people, and will foster the development of innovative methodologies that promote a better user experience: positive, playful, realistic, and immersive (or engaging).