CITIC Introduces CuidaconTIC: Technology to Support Caregivers

Researchers from CITIC, UDC centre part of the CIGUS Network—an initiative promoted by the Xunta de Galicia that brings together centers accredited for their scientific excellence—presented the TechQoL4Carers project on November 8. This innovative initiative aims to develop the technological solution CuidaconTIC, designed to enhance the quality of life, caregiving impact, occupational balance, health self-management, and empowerment of informal caregivers.

The CuidaconTIC platform stands out for its integration of wearable devices that enable continuous health data collection. These devices, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, gather detailed information about physical activity (steps, distance, active time, and calories burned), sleep (total time, REM phase, light and deep sleep, and awake time), and heart rate (minimum, average, and daily maximum). They also sync with applications like Google Fit, allowing for easy visualization and management of health data. The platform provides immediate access to this data, personalized recommendations to improve quality of life, and promotes health awareness by setting clear activity and rest goals.

The event featured the participation of CITIC Director Manuel González Penedo; Deputy Director Javier Pereira; Pablo Martín Lancharro, Deputy Director of Socio-Healthcare and Innovation at the Xunta de Galicia’s Department of Social Policy and Equality; and Juan Ignacio Borrego Vázquez, A Coruña’s Councillor for Education, Training, and Technological Innovation. Researchers María Betania Groba González and Laura Nieto Riveiro, project leads, also presented. The event included the presentation of preliminary project results, a demonstration of the CuidaconTIC platform, and a roundtable discussion where informal caregivers and professionals from partner organizations shared their experiences and lessons from the project’s pilot study.

“The involvement of CITIC in inclusive technology goes beyond technological research; it is aimed at directly improving people’s lives, especially those who take on fundamental roles in society, such as informal caregivers. At our center, we believe that technological innovation can only be considered complete if it is accessible, useful, and sustainable for all members of society,” emphasized Javier Pereira, Deputy Director of CITIC and coordinator of the research group driving this initiative.