Procurement laws for the healthcare sector in Europe makes it difficult for companies to develop and market new technical solutions. Meanwhile Europe faces the challenge of an increasingly older population in need of health care, often times in their homes. This is what the EU-project SILVER addresses through Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP), aimed at giving innovative companies the opportunity to develop new robot based solutions. The Swedish companies Bestic AB and Bioservo Technologies AB have been selected to participate in the project.

The project SILVER (Supporting Independent LiVing for the Elderly through Robotics) is to procure the development of new technical solutions based on  recent advances in robotics. The aim is to make it possible for elderly, in an increasingly aging population, to continue independent living at home even if they have physical or cognitive disabilities. The new technologies and solutions are sought by using a Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) process. SILVER is a European consortium with partners from Britain, the Netherlands , Denmark, Finland and Sweden, supported by the EU 's Seventh Framework Programme. The City of Vasteras and VINNOVA are the Swedish partners.

Best score in the evaluation

The project has a total budget of 2,150,000 euros and among 33 offers only 7 were selected. They include the Swedish companies Bestic AB and Bioservo Technologies, which received the best score in the evaluation, and will now receive funding to further develop their robotics solutions.

Bestic AB and their project Meal Time 360 proposes a completely new type of eating assistive device to embrace a more complete process surrounding the mealtime situation, including factors such as nutrition intake, ergonomics and social interaction. Bioservo Technologies and their project Iron Arm, a light and ergonomic soft robotics device in the form of a robot glove will make it easier for older people to grasp and lift objects in everyday life. The product can also be used for rehabilitation after for example having a stroke.

Robotdalen has supported and worked with both companies for many years and are very excited that they have been selected for the EU-project SILVER, says Erik Lundqvist, General Manager at Robotdalen. We look forward to follow the development of both products as well as the concept for pre-commercial procurement which we strongly believe in.