The Foundation promotes a new framework for evaluating assistive robotics in Catalonia through the LabORA project

The TIC Salut Social Foundation is participating in the launch of a new framework for evaluating assistive robotics in Catalonia, within the context of a collaboration agreement for the development of the Open Laboratory for Assistive Robotics (LabORA). This agreement brings together public administrations, research centres, universities and companies with the aim of promoting innovation in robotics applied to healthcare and social services.

LabORA is a collaborative ecosystem that aims to become a benchmark in the development of assistive robotics solutions in real-world environments. In this context, the TIC Salut Social Foundation is leading the development of a new evaluation model designed to ensure that these technologies:

• deliver real value to professionals and citizens
• meet quality, safety and ethical standards
• are scalable within the healthcare and social system

This work responds to the growing need to validate emerging technologies such as robotics, which are having an increasingly significant impact on care delivery.

LabORA: an ecosystem to drive assistive robotics

The Open Laboratory for Assistive Robotics (LabORA) is conceived as a collaborative space bringing together administration, research, industry and the care sector to develop and validate robotic solutions in real-life settings. It aims to improve people’s autonomy and quality of life, while also fostering a new economic ecosystem linked to assistive robotics.

This new evaluation framework follows the line of work already developed by the TIC Salut Social Foundation in the assessment and certification of health apps and in the development of technological standardisation and quality models. This approach is aligned with European initiatives such as the industry label of the xShare project, aimed at establishing cross-border common criteria for validating digital health solutions.

Innovation, ethics and transfer

This positioning places the Foundation as a key player in defining trust frameworks for emerging technologies. The new robotics protocol outlines several areas of work through a comprehensive approach that enables analysis from technological, social, ethical and regulatory perspectives.

These include:

• research and innovation in assistive robotics
• technology validation and transfer
• development of an ethical and legal framework
• dissemination and training activities