GE announced a $3 million investment into Ireland's Technology Research for Independent Living (TRIL) center, which Intel co-founded in 2007 with Ireland's Industrial Development Agency. Academic research partners for the center include University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and NUI Galway. GE's participation and cash infusion will enable TRIL to expand the number of participants is has in its pilot programs.

From the release: "A key goal of TRIL's research, which brings together world-class industry and academic experts from multiple disciplines, is to enable older people to live independently in the homes of their choice for as long as possible, with the help of technology--and in the process, to help ease the strain on global healthcare systems as the world's population ages. This objective aligns with GE Healthcare's goal of continuously developing innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency."

The announcement shows further strengthening of GE Healthcare and Intel's partnership, which last year included a co-marketing agreement for Intel's Health Guide.

The core objective of TRIL also aligns with GE's recent acquisition of Living Independently Group, which offers the QuietCare service, a passive activity monitoring system used to assist in the care of the elderly.

For more, read GE's press release