Smart City Agents: Autonomous Entities for Heterogeneous Infrastructure

Assistive technologies at home aim to enhance the quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, and those recovering from injuries or illnesses. Ontologies are a crucial component in these systems, as they provide a framework for organizing knowledge and facilitating communication between different stakeholders. This article reviews existing ontologies related to assistance at home, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
The authors identify five key concepts that form the foundation of their proposed ontology: context, user, agent, device, and environment. They explain how these concepts are interconnected and essential for understanding the various aspects of assistance at home. The authors also discuss existing ontologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), smart homes, and ambient assistive living, demonstrating how they can be integrated into their proposed framework.
The article emphasizes the importance of considering the user perspective when designing ontologies for assistance at home. The authors propose a user-centered approach that focuses on understanding the needs and preferences of older adults and people with disabilities. They also highlight the need for better integration of technology and social support to create a more comprehensive system.
The authors acknowledge the challenges faced in developing ontologies for assistance at home, including the complexity of the domain, the variety of stakeholders involved, and the need for standardization. However, they argue that these challenges can be addressed through a collaborative approach and the use of advanced technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning.
In conclusion, this article provides a comprehensive overview of ontologies related to assistance at home, highlighting their potential to improve the quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities. The authors’ proposed framework offers a user-centered approach that integrates various stakeholders and technologies, providing a more holistic system for assistance at home.