Preface

This book discusses how assistive technologies can be adapted to today's world. Several challenges arise, stimulating the evolution of current solutions. The topics discussed in this book present research under development showing the relevance of assistive technologies and their applications in smart city scenarios. The book is divided into five sections.

The first section presents Raspcare, which consists of a domestic gateway to allow interac‐ tion with household devices to execute the user's health plan, involving periodic measure‐ ments, medications, and dietary care. In the second section, the requirements for general Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications in a smart city context are analyzed, discussing the state of the art for the use of IoT for accessible tourism applications. Architecture together with a practical implementation tailored for the use case of accessible tourism to persons with physical impairments in the urban environment of Cagliari is proposed. The third sec‐ tion presents key characteristics that intuitive tactile interfaces should capture for elderly end-users. Sample projects showcase unique applications and designs that identify the limi‐ tations of universal interfaces and end-user needs. The fourth section highlights past and future roles of communication and pattern formation in the local cluster of the developing smart city. The goal is to transform a city via better cluster management, urban planning, coordination, citizen enablement, integration, and citizen feedback into a better functioning, convenient, and intelligent place for all of us, including disabled, ill, young, or aged persons. In the last section, an overview of theories and models helps us understand why assistive technology is considered to be a promising opportunity to address the challenges of an ag‐ ing population. Specific attention is devoted to the implementation of technology within healthcare organizations. The importance of human-centered design in the development of new assistive devices is also discussed. Several examples illustrate the daily practice of the different perspectives of involved stakeholders.

We would like to express our gratitude to the authors and all those who supported this work and assisted in this project.

> **Alejandro Rafael Garcia Ramirez** Universidade do Vale de Itajai Itajaí, Brazil

**Marcelo Gitirana Gomes Ferreira** Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina Florianópolis, Brazil

**Chapter 1**

**Provisional chapter**

**Introductory Chapter: The Role of Assistive**

**Introductory Chapter: The Role of Assistive** 

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.81820

There is not (yet) a generally accepted definition of the term 'smart city'. However, 'smart' systems are often considered to have the following three characteristics [1]: (i) the provision of technological assistance, including through the use of a combination of a physical infrastructure and information and communication technologies (ICT); for carrying out activities; (ii) information sharing and networking between different applications, systems, services and/or appliances and (iii) the application of the combination of ICT and other technologies, information sharing and networking with the aim of improving the quantity or quality of

These three characteristics can also be used to define smart cities. Smart cities have the potential to provide higher quality, more accessible services at a lower cost [2]. In addition, they have the potential to improve the city environment, the quantity and diversity of services and quality of life. They may have particular benefits for disabled and older people and may reduce or eliminate some of the barriers they might otherwise experience to participating in all aspects of life and enjoying the same opportunities and quality of life as non-disabled and

As will be discussed further below, smart cities have considerable potential to improve quality of life for both disabled and older people and the population as a whole. Technological and other systems also have disadvantages, but the focus has been on positive applications, with minimal attention to any potential disadvantages or problems. One potential problem is

> © 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use,

distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Marion Hersh, Marcelo Gitirana Gomes Ferreira and

Marion Hersh, Marcelo Gitirana Gomes Ferreira

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

**Technologies in Smart Cities**

**Technologies in Smart Cities**

Alejandro Rafael Garcia Ramirez

and Alejandro Rafael Garcia Ramirez

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81820

systems, services or applications provided.

**1. Introduction**

younger people.

**1.1. What is a smart city?**

#### **Chapter 1 Provisional chapter**

#### **Introductory Chapter: The Role of Assistive Technologies in Smart Cities Introductory Chapter: The Role of Assistive Technologies in Smart Cities**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.81820

Marion Hersh, Marcelo Gitirana Gomes Ferreira and Alejandro Rafael Garcia Ramirez Marion Hersh, Marcelo Gitirana Gomes Ferreira and Alejandro Rafael Garcia Ramirez

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81820
