VIPPSTAR

Abstract

The VIPPSTAR project will develop a holistic AI-based framework for a life-long enhancement of health, well-being, and autonomy of children and adolescents with Visual Impairment (VI) of different degrees of severity. From newborn to young adults, VIPPSTAR introduces a system of connected interventions and resources (tele-rehabilitation, serious games, enhancement of physical activity and nutrition) to establish the personalized prevention of the profound impacts of VI on individual health and on psychological, educational, motor, cognitive and social competences. VIPPSTAR tools are being co-designed with VI youths and their families and they will include a dedicated eLearning framework. The scientific methodology in VIPPSTAR will be validated by clinical studies. VIPPSTAR is funded by the HORIZON EUROPE Programme with a budget of € 8.1 million over four years (01/01/2025-31/12/2028), with the coordination of the University of Brescia and the LIGHT Center, 18 partners from 11 countries. The participation of technical partners from the ENVITER network is expected to add strong expertise to the project.

Project aim

By integrating AI and digital health tools into care, VIPPSTAR aims to empower children and adolescents with VI to lead fuller, healthier and more independent lives. From newborn to young adults, VIPPSTAR will support an early (0-3y) multimodal intervention at home with low-impact tele-rehabilitation, with AI-based metrics to evaluate, predict progress and help personalizing the intervention. For children (3-12y), it will also make available a serious game platform with personalized development according to child condition, engagement, visuo-cognitive metrics. For adolescents up to 18y, body image resilience, physical activity and nutrition will be enhanced by AI-based modules coordinated by an Avatar voice assistant. To overcome the current lack of continuous, personalized support needed, VIPPSTAR aims to leverage advanced digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, used ethically and safely.

Project partners

1. Universita’ Degli Studi Di Brescia (Italy)
2. Lifescience Innovation Good Healthcare Technology S.C.A R.L. (Italy)
3. Azienda Socia-Sanitaria Territoriale Degli Spedali Civili Di Brescia (Italy)
4. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium)
5. Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen (Germany)
6. Universita’ Degli Studi Di Trento (Italy)
7. Spindox Labs Srl (Italy)
8. Comftech Srl (Italy)
9. University Of Limerick (Ireland)
10. Centrul Republican De Reabilitare Pentru Copii (Moldova)
11. The University Court Of The University Of Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
12. Panepistimio Ioanninon (Greece)
13. Istituto Superiore Di Sanita (Italy)
14. Eodyne Systems Sl (Spain)
15. Visually Impaired Education And Work Support International Aisbl (Belgium)
16. Association Les Glenans (France)
17. Real Eyes Sport Asd (Italy)
18. Erasmus Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam (The Netherlands)

AbilNova, due to its specific expertise and its day-to-day involvement in the VI world, is a key technical advisor of the VIPPSTAR project in the development of an innovative platform which will integrate several personalised life-improving tools, co-designed with the direct involvement of children and adolescents with VI and their families. In particular, AbilNova will help the project team to identify potentially eligible adolescents according to the criteria provided by the VIPPSTAR project, will collaborate with clinical centers to facilitate the enrolment of participants and will help to promote conscious and informed participation, including communication activities and support for families.

Newsletter

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