MassAITC: The New Sheriff in Tech-Town Funding AI-Driven Healthcare
The Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease (MassAITC) just amped up their game, funding five new pilot programs. And what’s their agenda? Nothing short of using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to transform healthcare for older adults. Talk about shooting for the stars.
Now, MassAITC isn’t new to the rodeo. They’re a National Institute on Aging (NIA) Collaboratory, working tirelessly to improve care for older adults and those battling Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) using AI-enhanced technologies. And this time, they’ve got five new projects on their plate.
These projects are the result of a tag team between the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring (CPHM) and various organizations. Each project will receive a $250,000 boost, a cozy spot within MassAITC, and the opportunity to grow. The grants will be split between industry and University of Massachusetts investigators.
A Deep Dive into the Five
So, what do these projects look like? Well, they’re as diverse as a tech conference in Silicon Valley.
First off, we have Electronic Caregiver partnering with the Center for Human Health and Performance (CH2P). Their mission? To reduce fall risks among the elderly using computer vision and AI-driven assessments. Think of it as a digital safety net.
Then there’s Joyita Dutta, PhD, a UMass Amherst associate professor, partnered with the Sleep Monitoring core facility and DREEM, a developer of EEG headsets. They’re using these futuristic headbands and smartwatches to study AI-based sleep staging. Because who doesn’t want better Zzz’s?
The third initiative aims to validate a remote sensor for continuous health monitoring to support aging in place along with AD/ADRD care management. This project is the brainchild of a partnership between Tellus, a California-based IT firm, Rebecca Spencer, PhD, a UMass Amherst associate professor, and the Sleep Monitoring core facility.
Next up, we have the Massachusetts-based Impairment Science teaming up with associate professors from UMass Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Their goal? To use the Druid Impairment App to support seniors’ driving skills. Because who said older folks can’t be road warriors?
Finally, we have a collaboration between TraceBio, a Michigan company, and CH2P. They’re on a mission to validate a wearable sensor for orthostatic vital signs (OVS) to prevent falls before they occur. A stitch in time saves nine, right?
A Legacy of Innovation
This isn’t MassAITC’s first rodeo. In the past two years, they’ve approved and funded eight pilot projects involving external companies. And just like their current crop, these projects aimed to leverage technology to assist older populations.
But MassAITC isn’t the only one playing this game. In February, the Johns Hopkins Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory for Aging Research (JH AITC) confirmed that 14 pilot projects gained funding from the National Institute on Aging.
The bottom line? The tech world is becoming more and more intent on harnessing the power of AI to improve healthcare and quality of life for older populations. And you know what? It’s about time.
