York Univ and Precarn launch ICAST network

York Univ and Precarn Inc are backing the formation of a multi-sectoral network of researchers and companies to develop new medical devices for the elderly and disabled. The Intelligent Computational Assistive Science and Technology (ICAST) network is aimed at improving the alignment between university researchers and the needs of businesses, fostering collaboration between scientists, engineers, clinicians, industry representatives and organizations serving the disabled and the elderly. ICAST was conceived by Dr John Tsotsos, a York Univ professor who holds a Canada Research Chair in computational vision. Tsotsos will serve as the inaugural network chair and participants will work in four clusters — mobility, communication, smart homes and issues pertaining to the elderly. While they will work within their fields, results will be shared with other clusters to capitalize on areas of commonality and overlap. Researchers are already working on projects for intelligent wheelchairs, self-guided, wearable robotics and smart homes than can anticipate a person's needs. By bringing together various research disciplines to develop complex technologies, ICAST backers hope to enhance commercialization and spread the use of robotics and intelligent systems….