Partner
ZIM (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand)
2026 - 27

Topics in Focus
Adaptive interfaces
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)
Digital sociotechnics
UX research

Social isolation is a condition that particularly affects people in later life. There are many causes behind this phenomenon that go far beyond purely technology-driven factors: changes in one’s social environment, health limitations, reduced mobility, the loss of work or a partner, as well as physical distance from family and friends can all lead to less frequent contact and make participation in social life more difficult.

Against this backdrop, we ask a central question: How can digital bridges be built that sustainably strengthen a sense of belonging, active participation, and shared experiences in later life? And which key factors need special attention when addressing this challenge?

Intelligent assistive systems can be an important building block in tackling social isolation. They are already widespread and promise closeness across distance. At the same time, everyday experience shows that digital means of communication do not automatically create a sense of connection—especially when solutions fail to align with the lived realities of older adults or even reinforce existing barriers.

With our project “Digital Bridges,” we therefore approach the topic holistically. We seek to understand which factors contribute to social isolation in later life, which resources and routines enable connection, and how to design user-centered interventions based on these insights – interventions that foster genuine encounters, orientation, and social inclusion. The goal is to enable authentic communal experiences through the deliberate combination of technology and thoughtful design.