Building inclusive assistive technologies for people with special needs.
SmartAssistPBS is the LARLANCO vision for a secure, interoperable, and clinically validated ecosystem that connects health data, IoT devices, care teams, and scientific partners around a single goal: better support for people with special needs.
LARLANCO at Ibn Zohr University
LARLANCO is a leading research laboratory dedicated to inclusive digital innovation, health-data interoperability, and assistive technologies for people with special needs.
Dr. El Makhtar EL MAOUHAL serves as Laboratory Director.
A research platform shaped by the lab vision.
What the lab is building
SmartAssistPBS aims to support people with special needs through an integrated model that combines health-data interoperability, IoT-based monitoring, adaptive AI, and multidisciplinary validation. The objective is not only to create technology, but to prove that it can be trusted, adopted, and scaled in Moroccan and regional contexts.
- Interoperable clinical workflows built around HL7 FHIR standards and secure APIs.
- IoT monitoring for real-time data capture, alerting, and coordinated response.
- Clinical and scientific validation with partner CHUs and field institutions.
- Context-aware research that bridges technology, social impact, and adoption.
LARLANCO at Ibn Zohr University
The laboratory anchors the project academically and provides the research, supervision, and institutional credibility needed for long-term growth.
Security and trust first
The project addresses sensitive health data, secure cloud architecture, and hospital-grade integration with a strong privacy and governance mindset.
Co-design with stakeholders
Caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and end users are treated as partners in the design and validation process, not as afterthoughts.
Four pillars that reflect the lab roadmap.
Interoperability
FHIR-oriented integration, secure APIs, and data exchange patterns that allow the platform to connect with clinical systems and research environments.
IoT and monitoring
Medical sensors, continuous data capture, and event-driven alerts designed to improve coordination and response times.
Validation
Clinical evaluation, field testing, measurable outcomes, and a research protocol strong enough for publication and scale-up.
Adaptive intelligence
AI-supported assistance and analytics designed to adapt to context, support decision-making, and remain explainable to stakeholders.
A platform that creates research value and practical care value at the same time.
The project targets a proof of concept that can move beyond a prototype: validated workflows, credible scientific output, partner readiness, and a roadmap for broader deployment in Morocco, the MENA region, and beyond.
target PoC duration
peer-reviewed publications
improvement target for caregiver coordination
scalability roadmap
What the project needs from clinical and scientific partners.
Clinical sites
Additional access to validation sites, especially in Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes, to broaden the national testing scope and strengthen external validity.
De-identified data
Structured access to clinical data from a meaningful cohort to assess outcomes, validate models, and support evidence-based evaluation.
Scientific and technical mentoring
Guidance in FHIR interoperability, methodology, biostatistics, cloud security, microservices, and IoT testing environments.
Anchored by LARLANCO and already connected to real institutions.
The project already includes clinical and field collaborators, a working prototype direction, and a research agenda that spans health data, assistive devices, and social impact.
- Three CHU and partner centers supporting the proof-of-concept direction.
- Access to more than 500 people with special needs and around 200 caregivers in the planned research perimeter.
- Intellectual property work in progress, including the platform architecture and assistive technologies.
A concise message for partners and visitors.
SmartAssistPBS is the public identity for a research effort that sits at the intersection of university research, clinical practice, and social innovation. It helps the lab communicate the project in one clear language: inclusive technology, validated by evidence, and grounded in real-world need.
Request a collaboration discussionCore team
Dr. El Makhtar EL MAOUHAL
Laboratory Director
Director of LARLANCO at Ibn Zohr University, providing strategic leadership for SmartAssistPBS and overseeing the laboratory’s research agenda and partnerships.
Adam INAGHNANE
Product & Embedded Systems Architect
Computer and embedded systems specialist focused on medical IoT design and healthcare data interoperability. Oversees technical architecture and sensor-stream integration.
Dr. Sana EL JAMYLY
Educational Technology & AI Specialist
Associate Professor at Ibnou Zohr University specializing in AI, educational technologies, and digital innovation. Contributes to platform design and inclusive digital solutions.
Abdessamad OUNACEUR
IT & Educational Technology Specialist
PhD student and IT professional specializing in educational technology and AI integration. Supports IT integration and intelligent digital solutions.
Dr. Abdellah EL MAKNASSI
AV & Smart Equipment Lead
Head of Media and Audiovisual Services at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Agadir. Leads selection of smart cameras, sensors, and communication tools.
Connect with the SmartAssistPBS team.
Institution
LARLANCO, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Project identity
SmartAssistPBS, a smart assistive technologies initiative for people with special needs.