TLDR : OSO-AI, a startup from Brest specializing in ambient intelligence, and VYV3, the care service of the VYV Group, announced a partnership to deploy smart listening technology in social-medical establishments. The non-intrusive, AI-based solution detects critical events like falls or calls for help in real-time, enhancing resident safety and relieving healthcare staff.
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OSO-AI, a pioneering deeptech from Brest specializing in Ambient Intelligence (AmI) for vulnerable people and healthcare providers, and VYV3, the care and support service of the VYV Group, a major player in health and social protection in France, officially announced on May 21 at the SantExpo exhibition, a commercial partnership around the "Augmented Ear for Caregivers," an intelligent listening technology designed to improve resident safety while easing the workload of field teams.
In medico-social establishments, especially at night, the caregiver-to-patient ratio is a major challenge. This is the issue addressed by the solution developed by OSO-AI, a startup founded in 2018 by Philippe Roguedas, Olivier Menut, Gilles Debunne, and Claude Berrou, the latter also being one of the inventors of the famous error-correcting code bearing his name.
Designed from the outset as non-intrusive, the solution is based on a wall-mounted unit connected to Wi-Fi, integrating microphones and sensors, and coupled with AI algorithms capable of detecting critical events in real-time: falls, respiratory distress, cries, calls for help... When a signal is detected, an alert is immediately sent to healthcare providers via smartphone or tablet, allowing them to intervene quickly.
An AI Attuned to Vulnerable People
This system relies on the analysis of over 150 sound classes, ranging from physiological manifestations (snoring, coughing, irregular breathing, vomiting) to behavioral or contextual signals (unusual movements, shocks, intrusions). The learning models have been trained on several million sound samples, manually qualified by OSO-AI teams, with an objective of increasingly precise and contextually adapted interpretation. The precision of interpretation has been refined over time, fueled by feedback from pilot establishments.
Recognized with several awards, including a 2022 e-health Trophy, the startup raised 14 million euros to accelerate its development, supported by a demanding positioning at the crossroads of technology, usability, and care ethics. In 2024, it was voted Best French Startup of the Year by EY, praised for its positive and sustainable impact on society.
A Partnership for Large-Scale Deployment
For VYV3, which operates more than 1,700 establishments in France, the challenge goes beyond technological innovation. It is about integrating solutions that address long-term organizational tensions while respecting the values of mutual care.
After several months of experimentation in over 500 rooms, the user feedback is encouraging. As Valérie Levacher, director of the VYV3 support unit, explains:
"We have been able to test and adopt a particularly innovative solution, both for the quality of support for our patients and residents, and for the organization of our professionals' work. This partnership gives a new dimension to our common and future-oriented actions in favor of caregiving."
While to date, more than 500 rooms have been equipped with the system, positive feedback from field teams has prompted the group to accelerate the deployment of this technology in its facilities.
Olivier Menut, president of OSO-AI, emphasizes:
"The signing of this framework agreement with VYV3 marks for us an important step in the quality collaboration we have maintained for several years with this great mutualist group, particularly attached to the quality of care provided within its establishments. This agreement demonstrates the full relevance of a large-scale use of our solution to sustainably improve the quality of life in establishments."
To better understand
What is ambient intelligence and how is it applied in the context of social and healthcare institutions?
Ambient Intelligence (Aml) refers to systems that use advanced technologies to interact with their environment in a seamless and non-intrusive way, integrating sensors, AI algorithms, and communication devices. In healthcare institutions, it enables real-time detection and signaling of critical events to enhance resident safety.
How does the error correcting code invented by Claude Berrou work and how is it relevant to current technologies?
The error-correcting code by Claude Berrou, often referred to as Turbo Code, is a method that enables detection and correction of errors in digital data transmission. It works by adding redundancies through specific algorithms to ensure data integrity upon receipt. This concept is crucial for modern communications, especially in mobile networks and storage systems, where transmission reliability is essential.