The lack of end-users’ involvement in the development of innovative solutions is the main innovation barrier identified by the EU Report on the public consultation on the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. Practices at the time in technology assessment overly focused on clinical effectiveness whilst not considering the real “user experience” enough, which usually resulted in the innovation to be often considered unsuitable or unacceptable by the end-user. The objective of EDUCAT was therefore to develop and provide embedded healthcare hardware and software using a bottom-up approach. The new Assistive Technologies (ATs) developed is open, modular and able to adapt their assistance (or to be adapted by the user) to the end-user’s needs and give feedback to users in response to their needs. The expected benefits included cost and time savings for companies (for developing technologies) and hospitals (for care) as well as a higher efficiency of use of the technology, and better quality of life for disabled people.

The different approaches adopted by health authorities in 2 Seas area regarding the provision of assistive technologies resulted in variations in care. While some industries had well-defined standards within which to operate, the area of healthcare assistive technologies was relatively new and presented unique challenges. Current and previous research has demonstrated that these challenges are shared internationally.

Sharing different perspectives among project partners, based on diverse cultures and backgrounds was very useful in co-developing new assistive technologies and finding the best solutions for all stakeholders. Indeed, cross-border research collaboration provided access to a variety of cultural attitudes. Observers from various countries provided a greater understanding of the needs and expectations of a larger group of users. Although limited at regional level, the target groups were larger in the cross-border area, increasing the number of potential customers and enhancing the stakeholder network for SMEs.

The diversity of expertise within the partnership also played a significant role in the success of the project. The universities involved had complementary skills in developing assistive technology with users as well as applications for industry. The hospitals provided clinical expertise and access to the required patient groups. A larger range of companies were reached through the partners' and observers' networks. The variety of stakeholders boosted innovation and ensured that the products were accepted by the users.

Thus, by sharing the different partners’ points of view based on varying cultures and backgrounds, the project delivered a more widely spread AT, as thanks to consultation on the specific needs in the different countries, they were able to define/propose an Assistive Technology, a methodology and clinical tests that could be used in the 3 countries involved.