A European adventure with EIT: Germany

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology Smart Ageing programme continues with a very interesting, innovative and exciting week in Medical Valley Germany.

We are based in the town of Erlangen where Siemens have a huge current and historical presence as a major local employer along with their ongoing investment and support for research and development in the nearby University of Nuremberg and Medical Valley. Medical Valley operates as a hub for local areas including Erlangen, Bamberg, Forcheim, Amberg Weiden which all have different research specialist programmes. The programme for the week was a busy one but a very interesting and rewarding experience.

Monday morning started in the Siemens Healthineers facility in Erlangen with an introduction of participants followed by a presentation from Benjamin Stocklein Head of International Services for Medical Valley giving us first insights about Medical Valley and administrative details for the week. We then had a presentation that afternoon from Prof. Jurgen Zerth from Wilhelm Lohe Hoschule who gave us a fantastic presentation on the current German Healthcare market and its potential for the future, it was very interesting and provided for lively debate among all participants. I was lucky enough to meet with Prof Jurgen Zerth later that day and we had some interesting discussion on our Glaneir product which provides financial protection for elderly and vulnerable people and the possibility of a pilot programme with one of the German private homecare providers. We finished the day with pitch presentations from all participants and networking.

Tuesday morning was an early start with a day trip to Bamberg which was the highlight of the week as it was such an engaging programme visiting a Senior Facility in the beautiful town of Bamberg where we were hosted by the inspiring Executive Director Jutta Weigand of the Bamberg social foundation who is very proud of the service they provide. The Bamberg facility provides a broad range of services including full time living accommodation, full time residential care, day care services, surgery, rehab, dementia and Alzheimer’s support services. The emphasis is on allowing patients to remain at home for as long as possible both for their personal health and wellbeing and because it is also cost effective for the German Health service. Tuesday afternoon we visited a Smart House in Bamberg designed for Elderly people which was of a modular construction which meant it could be constructed in 3 days, the interior was well laid out with modern technology throughout my concern is about the sensitivity of some of the alarms and sensors in practical everyday living. Anton Zahneisen thank you for the tour. Wednesday morning and we are back to Erlangen and to the Siemens Healthineers facility where the EHC and Digital Semi Finals are taking place today. The 12 semi finalists were put into two groups of 6 for morning and afternoon pitches with Q & A from the judging panel.

The range of pitches from medical research to digital and robotics were well prepared and presented with my personal favourite on the day being Minnity which i would best describe as a key to the person in dementia care and the carers providing their support. Good networking at the event with a lot of Senior Executives and an introduction to possible funding opportunities for Start Ups including EIT crowdfunding. Overall the professional finish to the pitches both delivery of message and vision ahead has been noted. Thursday morning in Erlangen Siemens Healthineers facility we have a presentation on sensors and gait analysis from Ralph Stiedel CEO Portables HCT which is doing interesting work in this area and essentially gathers very useful data on patient activities.

My favourite item of the week was Three retired Siemens Executives listening to our pitches giving advice and robustly testing our products. The value of wise experience is underestimated in todays business world and I applaud Siemens for including this valuable resource. What visit to Erlangen would be complete without a visit to the Siemens Medical Museum which is a great tour. From the first X Ray to the medical equipment of today it is astonishing the progress that has been made and the pioneers who gave their lives to pursue medical science.

Back to Dublin tomorrow and prepare for the Smart Ageing Bootcamp next week in Budapest.