Featured Reference Site: OuluHealth – a unique ecosystem model for testing and developing new technologies

The ecosystem offers a one-of-a-kind test environment, OuluHealth Labs, which allows companies, social and healthcare professionals and students to develop new social and healthcare innovations under authentic conditions with actual users. In this way, innovations are tested through the entire service chain, from private homes all the way to health centres and hospitals. For over two decades, new solutions have been successfully introduced through numerous pilot tests. For example, the development of Oulu Self Care, a service for self-management of health, dates back to the 1990s.  The main goal of OuluHealth is to accelerate the implementation of health innovations and boost the health technology business in Finland.

Companies interested in cooperation can visit the following website for more information

The ecosystem for all needs

The Oulu WelfareLab, which is a part of the OuluHealth Labs, allows testing in social and health care processes as well as in people’s homes in Oulu. This test and development environment works both for the companies’ and the citizens’ benefit.

‘We are able to answer the challenges from the social and health sector by working on the right solutions with new technology developers,’ said Jaana Kokko, Technology Specialist in the city of Oulu.

Numerous companies from Finland and beyond have already benefited from the network of 3000 social and healthcare professionals and 200 000 end-users. Companies, for example, from Japan have tested their solutions in Oulu, which also gave them a better understanding of the European market. The products tested in development processes were also Menumat - the catering service robot, and SIMO, the cognitive assessment solution.

Menumat to support independent living at home

Menumat is a perfect example of a solution introduced in the home care sector. It is a convenient alternative to meal delivery services available for elderly people. This product intends to support longer independent living. Menumat gives voice instructions and is able to store up to 18 frozen meals at a time, which can be easily heated up. A customer can choose between hundreds of food options, including options for special diets.

Find out more information about this product on the following website

SIMO: A substitute for a pen and paper

Oulu-based company, Scandicode, has developed the SIMO tablet application, which is used to assess cognitive functions, such as remembering, reaction capability, problem-solving and paying attention.

Up to now, tests like these were performed with pen and paper, which made them time-consuming and subjective. According to the Alzheimer Society of Finland, every year about 14 500 people in Finland suffer from diseases that cause memory declines. Therefore, a strong need for a tool for memory disorder management has emerged. Through pilot tests, Scandicode received feedback on SIMO’s usability in an authentic environment. The tests also gauged whether the application adds value to cognition assessments compared to other methods.

Established in 2016, Scandicode received the CE marking for its SIMO innovation and, consequently, was able to expand to international markets. The SIMO application can be used in welfare centers, home care and elderly care. The solution is also a way to prevent memory disorders.

Terttu Turunen (left), Sirkku Kaltakari, Ritva Kuorilehto and Toini Kärenlampi from OuluHealth are testing the Menumat meals