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Mobile games will get young people to take their medication
Researchers at Luleå University of Technology will, together with the company Mindforce Game Lab, look at the extent to which machine learning can help identify a person’s mood and inspire them to take better care of themselves. By developing interactive AI solutions, they hope to help people suffering from mental illness take their medication and keep track of their progress.
Help to follow the treatment plan
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The number of people suffering from mental illness has increased in recent years, but the available medical infrastructure does not meet demand. This was one of the reasons why the Skellefteå-based company Mindforce Game Lab began to develop an interactive mobile game that helps people change their behavior and achieve better health. The game, which is registered as a medical device, is aimed primarily at young people suffering from depression and bipolar disorder. The goal is for the user, with the support of a game and a game character, to increase the compliance of their treatment and establish healthy habits around food, sleep and exercise.
Anders Tånger, CEO of Mindforce Game Lab says: -In case of mental illness, it is important to follow the treatment plan and take prescribed medication. However, for various reasons, many patients do not take their prescribed medication. If you look at chronic diseases, both simpler and more serious diagnoses, the average is to complete your medication at about 50 percent. According to the WHO, the problem of people not taking their medication as they should, is more important to deal with than new breakthroughs for various medications.
Analyze behavior patterns
The game, called “Fig, a ‘playtient’ journey”, uses a so-called “Tamagotchi effect” to create an emotional connection to the main character named “Fig” in the game. The assumption is based on the fact that caring for the character should inspire the user to take better care of themselves. In that the main character in the game takes medication regularly and encourages the user to do the same. Using Artificial Intelligence, researchers will analyze the user’s behavioral patterns, and by using machine learning techniques, identify triggers and examine whether the person is improving or deteriorating, and allow the app to respond accordingly.
The work is part of an AI project
The work takes place within the framework of the project Applied AI DIH North at Luleå University of Technology. The project aims to create a strong innovation system for growth in the AI industry. It runs for three years and is financed by the EU’s regional development fund (Tillväxtverket), Luleå University of Technology, Luleå municipality, Skellefteå municipality and the Norrbotten Region.
CH2ESS is a new research and knowledge initiative at Luleå University of Technology with a focus on hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, in close collaboration with Swedish industry.
Hydrogen is the key to a fossil-free energy systems and Luleå University of Technology is involved and secures that development in Sweden through groundbreaking research and skills supply. Luleå University of Technology is a strong research and education partner to the Swedish hydrogen industry with the aim of replacing fossils fuels and cope with the global climate change.
The university is investing 60 million
Luleå University of Technology is investing 60 million over 6 years, but the ambition is to double the budget with funding from external actors. Common to the players is an interest in the important research, innovation and pilot initiatives in the hydrogen area that are being implemented in northern Sweden. The starting point in CH 2 ESS is real needs and important challenges linked to these hydrogen investments. Heavy experimental core
Luleå University of Technology is planning a core of heavy experimental activities in the university’s pilot plant for fuel synthesis, LTU Green Fuels. There is the capacity to study electrolysis systems on an industrially relevant scale, to simulate industrial sub-processes and to carry out experiments that are too advanced or expensive for commercial plants. CH2ESS also invests in sub-projects that are theoretical or that use the advanced lab scale equipment available at the university.
The large-scale investments in the hydrogen area, not least in northern Sweden, need a large number of engineers with a MSc degree and other qualified personnel with relevant skills. In collaboration with companies within CH 2 ESS, Luleå University of Technology further develops its research and education so that they match the needs for hydrogen competence. Within ten years, Luleå University of Technology CH 2 ESS has trained 500 engineers with a MSc degree with broad basic competence and relevant cutting-edge competence in the hydrogen area, starting with the educations in the autumn of 2021.
Training for professionals
Luleå University of Technology is also investing in tailor-made commissioned training for professionals and in a new scheme called the CH2ESS trainee, where students together with the companies employees solve specific challenges in the energy transition with hydrogen. For graduate engineering students at Luleå University of Technology, CH 2 ESS is a unique opportunity to become directly involved in the sustainable “Klondike-like” environment with research and development around hydrogen technology that is now gaining momentum in northern Sweden.
Many partners
Partners in CH2ESS (Center for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden) are initially: LKAB, SSAB, Vattenfall, Hybrit, H2 Green Steel, Skellefteå Kraft, NTNU Energy Team Hydrogen at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Piteå municipality. In the long run, more stakeholders with a hydrogen interest will be included.
