Research & clinical case
melu is built on rigorous scientific methodology — not just tech innovation, but validated care design.
Why this matters
The macro problem
Chronic loneliness is incredibly lethal, increasing the risk of early mortality by 26%. The health impact of isolation is clinically comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
Social isolation costs Medicare an additional $134 per month per isolated individual, totaling $6.7 billion in excess annual spending.
Flat screens aren't enough. 60% of seniors report feeling noticeably less isolated after engaging with spatial computing and VR.
Research partnership
Prof. Dr. Veronika Krauß
Hochschule Ansbach — Human-Computer Interaction
Prof. Krauß leads the HCI research group at Ansbach University of Applied Sciences. Her focus is responsible system design, accessible emerging technologies, and co-creative research with real-world communities.
LinkedIn ProfileThe Study
Volkswagen Foundation — "Change! Fellowship"
4-year research project
Co-creation with care facilities as active partners
Living Labs, ethnographic observation, co-design workshops, qualitative evaluation
Research questions
What challenges in senior care can technology meaningfully support?
What aspects of care should NOT be technologized — and why?
What training and support do caregivers need to adopt XR tools responsibly?
Why this matters for investors
The reimbursement pathway
Clinical & regulatory validation
We build regulatory credibility and ethical trust through strict, university-backed methodology and data.
The reimbursement catalyst
Chronic loneliness drives costly, unnecessary physician visits.
Source: AJPHUnlocking DTx revenue
By documenting improved health outcomes and reduced facility costs, melu establishes a clear pathway to Digital Therapeutic (DTx) insurance reimbursement.