Allowing older people to live in their own homes for longer
A new startup, set up by six science and technology students studying towards their PhD in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sensor Technologies and Applications, is developing an innovative technology platform with the potential to revolutionise at-home care for older people in the UK.
Cambridge Assisted Living Technologies (Cambridge ALT), was set up with the aim of allowing older people to live in their own home for longer and develops technology that is inspired by a team project that the students conducted as part of their CDT training programme.
On Friday 17 February 2017, the startup met with Daniel Zeichner MP, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, to discuss the potential impact of their new product on the lives of local residents and older people across the country.
With an ever increasing population, and the very high cost of care, there is a need to help older people live safe and healthy lives whilst ensuring they can retain their independence. Cambridge ALT have developed a system using the latest in wireless technology and intelligent data processing to learn what normal activity in the home looks like. When an abnormal event is detected, an alert is securely sent to a trusted friend or family member.
Oliver Bonner, a co-founder of Cambridge ALT, said: "Existing Assisted Living Technology systems use data from single sensors to generate basic alerts. Our modular system uses many sensors such as light level, appliance monitoring for the TV or kettle, and door sensors, to build a holistic picture of what a person’s normal daily routine looks like."
As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Data Analytics, Daniel Zeichner MP is helping to establish links between businesses, academia and the public to improve policy making in the use of data. He commented: "Cambridge ALT are harnessing the latest in data processing techniques to help older people retain their independence and improve well-being." He went on to say: "There is a technological gap in the provision of care, and Cambridge ALT are pushing forward their innovative system to fulfil this need."
Cambridge ALT are in the early stages of their commercial development and are actively seeking seed investment to develop the system further.
Josie Hughes, another co-founder, said: "By installing our system at home, older people can be given a safety net so that if an event, such as a fall, were to happen, assistance can be given as soon as possible. This will also give peace of mind to friends and families."
Clemens Kaminski, director of the Sensor CDT, commented: "This remarkable achievement attests to the high quality of the students that come into the Sensor CDT and their diversity of skills and interests, ranging all the way from socially responsible innovation to entrepreneurship. I am very proud of what these students have achieved and thrilled to see what can result if a few bright minds get together to drive a collective idea. I wish them good luck and fortune in their endeavours!"