Wearable technology only works if you wear it. It's a simple insight, yet one that is transforming the global market for personal security products as fast-growing Swiss watchmaker Limmex sees growth with a smart little watch that can save lives.

While the immediate future is unlikely to yield AI pseudo-human carers, the notion of robots aiding the elderly is closer than ever. All over the world – especially in Japan, where more than a quarter of the population is over 65 – technology and healthcare are starting to overlap.

The presumption that Gen Y and Z are driving social media uptake is past; 63% of over 70s spend 11 to 30 hours a week online. But how do you get people familiar with Facebook family banter, Skyping the grandkids and browsing Picasa albums? Will Family Ribbon be the business to get seniors surfing?

Life 2.0 is an EU-funded project, involving 13 core partners in five EU countries, which has developed a series of networked applications to help empower elderly residents to live more independent lives.