Introduction - ICT as a technological enabler: All technologies can be considered augmentative or assistive as they provide improved capabilities to perform a task or operation. As a general principle, the following components are involved in technological applications • Energy storage → transformation → actuation aspects, • Materials science, • Intelligent control → processing power → communications, • Sensory and sensing aspects. ICT stands for information and communication technologies and is generally understood to apply to computer hardware and software, and telecommunications technologies. Assistive technologies (AT) concern practical tools that can support the functional needs of people experiencing difficulties related to disability or aging. It includes a broad spectrum of low- and high-tech technologies, such as walkers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, vision aids and computer-based communication aids. As a simple example of assistive technology: - a wheelchair can have a battery plus an electric motor cable for energy storage/transformation, steel and fabric in combination for comfort and durability, a tilt sensor with mercury switch for determine whether it has been tipped over, microprocessor and supporting circuitry, alarm output or remote warning if the tilt sensor is triggered (supported by the necessary software coding algorithms). Following the example of the wheelchair, previous designs were powered by human energy without a battery or motor. (Later models have motor drive but very simple control via a manual joystick). Newer designs feature sensor technology for fail-safe and more sophisticated control with software. The direction of evolution is to add communications technology to the sensor and control loop so that a… paper medium… acts to broaden the availability of key applications. The increase in computing power of mobile phones will allow for more powerful applications (text-to-speech, etc.). It is possible that robotics as a technology complemented by artificial intelligence could become mainstream in the next 10 years. Advances with driverless cars (assisted driving) indicate wider acceptance of this type of technology with automatic parking and lane control now an accepted standard on some models (AT will also continue to benefit from medical device innovation in the field of nanoscience, materials science, miniaturization). The integration of machines and biological products (artificial liver, heat pump assistance, 3D printed organs) are all potential advances that vary in scope from assistive to fully regenerative technology. It is not possible to predict with any degree of precision what the first to downsize