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Avante is consolidated as a benchmark of technology for dependency and disability in Spain
Publication date: 14th June, 2010
With only two shows, Avante, which closed this afternoon in Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via exhibition centre, has been consolidated as a benchmark in Spain for technological solutions that help to increase the autonomy and improve the quality of life of dependent or disabled persons. Almost 1,000 experts from 23 countries participated and presented new products and services for the home, healthcare, urban mobility and leisure.
A house totally adapted for disabled or dependent children and adults, cars that can be driven with a joystick, systems to open doors and even speak and write using the eye’s iris, tourism and sports proposals for people with reduced mobility, such as hot-air ballooning… are some of the new products visitors were able to see during the three-day show.
According to the director of Avante, Josep Antoni Llopart, technology has been the star turn this year, especially in the R&D&I Area which provided the setting for projects currently being developed in Europe to increase autonomy and improve quality of life. The area also demonstrated that, despite the difficult economic situation, the sector continues to invest in R&D&I in order to cover the future needs of an ever ageing population”.
Another main attraction this year was the side events programme organised with the participation of almost a thousand specialists from 23 countries, focused on promoting healthy ageing and quality of life, thanks to Information and Communication Technologies (ITC), and on debating future welfare and healthcare resources.
Highlighted Catalan participation in R&D&I projects
On occasion of Spain’s presidency of the Europe Union, Avante also provided the setting for the General Assembly of the AAL Association, which manages the Ambient Assisted Living programme, which has been allotted 600 million euros for the development of new technological solutions that improve the quality of life of the elderly. According to the main conclusions of the session, Catalonia is the European region that has led the largest number of the 97 projects selected in the AAL programme since 2008.
Avante, a biennial show, which was visited by around 7,000 people, will be back in 2012.
Barcelona, 4th June 2010
Images available here
Montse García Duque
93 233 35 46
mgarciad@firabcn.es