PIKSL Lab Bielefeld provides computer and Internet training programmes for individuals both with and without disabilities

The PIKSL Lab Bielefeld celebrated its grand opening on April 24th 2015 at its facilities on the Gadderbaumer Strasse 29. It is part of the KogniHome research project coordinated by the Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC). The German acronym PIKSL stands for “person-centred interaction and communication for an independent life”. The lab serves an open meeting place for people both with and without disabilities. As part of its inclusive services, it provides access to the latest information and communication technologies. Through this, PIKSL encourages active participation in society and fosters independent living.

At the PIKSL Lab Bielefeld, there are a total of 10 workstations with computers. During opening hours, 3 staff members are available to answer questions and to help visitors use the IT equipment. Staff members also offer courses that introduce visitors to working with computers. The courses provide instruction in office software programmes and navigating the Internet.

In the KogniHome innovation cluster, 14 project partners from Ostwestfalen-Lippe are working together on a “smart apartment” that promotes the health, quality of life, and safety of families, singles, and the elderly. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has provided 8 million Euro in funding for this research project through 2017. KogniHome is led by CITEC, the Cluster of Excellence at Bielefeld University. The central goal of this research is to develop reliable, smart technologies for living environments that will support people in accomplishing the tasks of daily living, thus allowing for greater independence in one’s own home.

KogniHome’s research facilities consist of the PIKSL Lab Bielefeld and an experimental apartment in which new technologies are installed and tested. For interested visitors to the PIKSL Lab Bielefeld, there are opportunities to take part in research studies. Participating in research actively contributes to reducing societal barriers.
The PIKSL Lab in Düsseldorf, founded in 2011, served as a model for the new Bielefeld lab. The Düsseldorf project has received numerous awards, including the initiative “Germany, Land of Ideas,” where it was chosen as a “Selected Place 2012”.

Opening Hours at the PIKSL Lab Bielefeld
Gadderbaumer Strasse 29
Tuesdays, 14:00 – 19:00
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 19:00
Fridays, 12:00 – 21:00
Saturday, 11:00 – 16:00

More information available online at:
www.kognihome.de
www.piksl.net

Contact
Claudia Brinkmann, Lilia Petker, Arne Scholz
PIKSL Lab Bielefeld
Telephone: 0521 144-4916
Email: piksl.bielefeld@bethel.de

Prof. Dr. Helge Ritter, Bielefeld University
Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC)
Telephone: 0521 106-12123
Email: helge@techfak.uni-bielefeld.de