Smart cameras, microphones and artificial intelligence could play a growing role in helping older people live safely and independently, but researchers say privacy, dignity and personal control must be built into these technologies from the outset.
The European COST Action GoodBrother brought together engineers, lawyers, healthcare professionals, ethicists, social scientists, industry representatives and end users to examine how audio and video monitoring can support active assisted living without turning private homes into surveillance environments.
Balancing independent living with privacy
For an older person living alone, a camera could detect a fall while a microphone could recognise signs of distress and alert a carer. Such systems could enable faster assistance and help people remain in their own homes for longer.
However, placing cameras and microphones inside a home raises questions about who can access recordings, where information is stored and whether personal data could be used without consent.
“The real question was not simply: ‘Can we use cameras and microphones for assisted living?’ Technically, we know they can be useful. The real question was: ‘How can we design and use audio- and video-based technologies in private spaces in a way that provides valuable care services while protecting privacy, dignity, and autonomy?’” said Dr Francisco Florez-Revuelta, Action Chair from the University of Alicante.
Moving beyond basic sensors
Traditional assisted-living systems have often relied on alarm buttons, motion detectors and door sensors. While useful, these devices provide limited information about what is actually happening.
“A door sensor may tell us that a door has opened,” Florez-Revuelta said, “but it does not always explain what has actually happened. It may not show whether a person has fallen, is confused, needs help or is simply carrying out a normal daily activity.”
Advances in computer vision, audio analysis and AI can provide more detailed information, potentially detecting falls, identifying emergencies and recognising everyday activities.
Yet increased capability brings greater privacy risks.
“Having a camera or microphone in your home can feel like surveillance,” he said. “People may worry about who can see or hear them, where the data goes, and whether recordings could be accessed or used without consent.”
Putting privacy into technology from the beginning
A central objective of GoodBrother was to make privacy, ethical and legal considerations part of the technology-development process rather than issues addressed after a system had already been designed.
“GoodBrother brought ethical, legal and privacy issues into the design of Active Assisted Living (AAL) technologies by making them part of the technical work from the beginning, rather than treating them as an afterthought,” Florez-Revuelta said.
The multidisciplinary network examined issues including consent, data protection, dignity, autonomy, technical privacy protections and the practical requirements of healthcare professionals and users.
GoodBrother also developed resources including Trustworthy AAL Design Cards, the 50 Questions on Active Assisted Living Technologies booklet and research examining ethical, legal and social considerations.
Smart devices can do more than users realise
Researchers also highlighted the increasingly sophisticated capabilities of everyday connected devices.
“People often think cameras and smart speakers are simple, everyday devices,” Florez-Revuelta said. “But in Active Assisted Living, these technologies can do much more.”
Smart speakers, for example, can help older people operate household devices, make calls, receive medication reminders, contact carers and stay connected with family.
Cameras also do not necessarily need to continuously record detailed images.
“Some systems can focus on patterns of movement rather than detailed personal images,” he said. “This can help protect privacy while still supporting safety.”
Young researchers help shape privacy-aware technology
GoodBrother also placed early-career researchers in leadership and organisational roles.
“Young researchers were not treated as passive participants,” Florez-Revuelta said. “They took active roles in the scientific work, the organization of activities and the management of the network.”
Training schools in North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia exposed participants to disciplines including engineering, computer science, law, ethics and healthcare.
Associate Professor Anto Čartolovni, from the Catholic University of Croatia, said leading GoodBrother’s Working Group on Social Responsibility had influenced his career.
“Leading a working group in GoodBrother was the definitive catalyst in my transformation from a young researcher into a recognized international researcher. It pushed me from observing technology to actively shaping how technology is designed and developed.”
He said the experience reinforced the importance of understanding technology from the user’s perspective.
“Most importantly, I learned to see these systems through the eyes of the end user, for whom privacy is the foundation of trust and often the deciding factor in whether assistive technology is accepted or rejected.”
Research continues beyond GoodBrother
GoodBrother has contributed to subsequent collaborations, including MAYA, a Horizon Europe project using a smart mirror and AI conversational assistant to support young cancer survivors.
Another project, EMA_FRAILTY, combines smart sensors and monitoring technologies to identify early signs of frailty among older adults.
Researchers involved with GoodBrother have also contributed to the COST Action Science in Diplomacy Network, known as SiDnet, extending the collaborative approach into other research fields.
Trust central to the future of assisted living
As ageing populations increase demand for technology that supports independent living, researchers argue that adoption will depend on whether people trust the systems operating inside their homes.
“GoodBrother has demonstrated that these technologies can support independent living and improve the quality of life for older adults, while also addressing privacy concerns,” Florez-Revuelta said.
“In the long term”, he concludes, “I hope GoodBrother’s impact will be seen in a stronger, more sustainable market for assisted-living technologies in Europe, where privacy, trust and user-centred design are paramount.”
The challenge for future assisted-living technology will therefore be not simply to make monitoring systems smarter, but to ensure greater capability is accompanied by meaningful safeguards for privacy, dignity and individual autonomy.
Cory Weinberg is a contributor to Sproutwired.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Cory’s work highlights relevant stories, practical insights and important issues affecting communities and industries, with an emphasis on accuracy, clarity and information that readers can trust.
