Understanding needs and requirements of the target group: Systematic perspective on interaction between system and environment

In order to effectively develop AAL solutions, it is crucial to analyse user requirements. The determination of actual user needs can make the difference between a nice to have and a real innovation. Integrating the target group successfully means being able to detect requirements and errors as well as needs, fears and barriers and utilize creative potential. The main advantage of such testing is being able to gain real users' behavior structures and their experiences and develop new services and products accordingly. Several AAL projects in national and international context have been conducted or are in process with involvement of the Research and Innovation department of Johanniter Austria. User integration and requirements analysis are conducted recently and scientific findings on premises, experiences as well as methods for testing are described. Furthermore this paper examines how to overcome main barriers and enhance valuable and widespread user integration. The framework is built by factors of technology acceptance as well as ethical issues. Results of finalized research cycles are presented.