02/09/2026
Would you trust an emergency button that cannot tell you it has stopped working?
For many assistive technologies, simply being switched on is not enough. A device may have a low battery, lose connectivity or develop a sensor fault without the user noticing.
That is why one of the aspects we are discussing in TechSocialcare is a regular self-test function.
The idea is simple: the technology should be able to check its own key functions and clearly alert the user or care staff when something is wrong.
For devices used for safety, monitoring or emergency support, this can make a huge difference. A solution should not only work when tested on day one. It should also help us know that it is still working when someone actually needs it.
So should automatic self-testing become a minimum requirement for certain assistive technologies?