Welfare Technologies Research Group
The Welfare Technologies Research Group, established in 2026 at the IT College of Tallinn University of Technology, is an interdisciplinary research group bringing together researchers from computer science, engineering, law, education, the social sciences and the humanities. Between us, we explore how welfare technologies can be designed together with the people who will use them, how care professionals can be supported in working with them, how they are experienced in everyday life, and how they should be governed.
Our work focuses on AI, robotics and other emerging technological solutions that support people with care needs, whether at home or in care facilities. We are interested not only in what these technologies can do, but in what they enable people to do. That means asking whether they are usable and trustworthy, whether they fit the needs and everyday lives of older adults, care workers and families, and how promising solutions can move from research into practice.
Head of the research group: Researcher Katrin Kangur, PhD
Estonian Research Information System (ETIS) EST / ENG
Our projects, currently in works:
- Nordforsk project: AI for Mindful Care and Aging (AMICA): Navigating vulnerability in the use and implementation of automated home care (01.01.2026–31.12.2029), ETAG25164
- Horizon Europe project: Twinning for Participatory and Interdisciplinary Methods in Trustworthy Intelligent Welfare Technology for Ageing Societies (01.01.2027-31.12.2029), TWIN4CARE
- THCS project Access to Care: Advancing Accessible and Sustainable Advance Care Planning for OlderAdults with Limited Kin Availability Through Conversational AI (01.01.2027-31.12.2029), ACCESS-ACP