Current state of the art of smart environments and labs from an ambient assisted living point of view

This paper seeks to note current contributors to AAL technology development and critically analyse how the field is progressing. These facilities now span the globe, especially in communities with well-established issues with an ageing population and a clinician crush. Having a good grasp of the current participants in the AAL field is important for anyone seeking to contribute to AAL projects. Chapter Contents: • 2.1 Introduction • 2.1.1 Areas of technology advancement • 2.2 AAL smart home research groups • 2.2.1 European network of living labs • 2.2.2 TigerPlace - University of Missouri • 2.2.3 Aware home research initiative - Georgia Tech • 2.2.4 Future care lab - RWTH Aachen University • 2.2.5 Distributed systems group - ETH, Zurich • 2.2.6 Smart environments research center - Washington State University • 2.2.7 POSEiDON Project - Middlesex University • 2.2.8 ORCATECH - Oregon Health and Science University • 2.2.9 Intelligent assistive technology and systems lab - University of Toronto • 2.2.10 Smart medical home - University of Rochester • 2.2.11 mHealth research group - Northeastern University • 2.2.12 Research groups summary • 2.3 Commercial AAL smart home technologies • 2.3.1 In-home health care companies • 2.3.2 Home automation devices • 2.3.3 In-home energy management offerings • 2.3.4 Commercial AAL smart home summary • 2.4 Conclusion • References.