Overview
The Open Ambient Assisted Living (OpenAAL) project targets the fast co-creation of scalable and affordable
solutions to support the care of vulnerable people whose urgent need has been exemplified by the COVID-19
pandemic.
The project (running from July 2020 to April 2021) is funded by EPSRC under the Impact Acceleration Accounts
schema. These are strategic awards provided to institutions to support knowledge exchange (KE) and impact from
their funded research.
Part of the
National Robotarium, based
at Heriot-Watt University, the OpenAAL lab will use digital twin, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technologies
to provide a platform where researchers, industry and care providers alongside end users of assisted living
services can co-create technology, where time and distance is no longer a barrier – any time, anyplace access.
The project will initially support key priority groups in the UK whose conditions have been compounded by the
social isolation measures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include those with multi-morbidity
conditions, disabilities, and those in acute stages of mental ill health.
Heriot-Watt University has unique laboratory facilities and world-leading expertise including microsystems,
(wireless) sensing, antenna, microwave and embedded systems, signal processing, data science, machine learning,
Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), human-computer-interaction and Robotics.
These technologies can be used to enable non-intrusive monitoring of behaviour and vital signs, detect patterns
and trends in behaviour and individual health status, identify problems, support self-management, decision-making
and risk assessment, triage issues, facilitate communication and social connectedness, and provide social,
cognitive and physical assistance when needed.
Robotics + Care Mashup
Hosted by the the
Open Ambient Assisted Living (OpenAAL) project,
part of the
National Robotarium at
Heriot-Watt University, the Robotics + Care Mashup will bring together academics, care providers and
technologists to develop solutions for assisted living.
Get immersed in a real product development process over the course of a week, with delegates from all around the
country. Explore the use of emerging technology including cloud, robotics and the Internet of Things equipped with
machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. You'll own everything you develop and set your own
metrics for success. Whether your goal is to develop your skills, solve a specific challenge, find a future
collaborator, or simply meet like minded people - please get on board!
We'll be hosting product development sessions and workshops from companies providing technical support, including
APIs and sensor kits, as well as exploring topics such as ethics and cybersecurity.
On completion of the event you can earn a digital certificate and CPD hours.
Read more information in our
Q&A document, before
signing up via our free
community hub on Vito.
Call for Collaborators
The project has already gained support from NHS Lothian, The Digital Health and Care Institute (DHI), Blackwood
Home and Care Group, Consequential Robotics, Alcuris Ltd, Cyberselves, Scottish Care, Sight Scotland, and The
Data Lab - Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI.
Additional collaborators from the care sector are now urged to join the project. The Coalition of Care and
Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) will play a key role in connecting the project to members in its supporting
organisations, including over 80 of the most significant care and support providers in Scotland’s third sector.
Dr Mauro Dragone, assistant professor at Heriot-Watt University, is leading the OpenAAL project.
Our priority is to ensure that the devised solutions we create are practical and feasible, so they can be
quickly implemented in the face of challenging social and economic conditions. There is huge potential to
unify efforts and provide better support to the nation’s most vulnerable at this time. By combining the
University’s unique laboratories with expertise in the care sector, we have the opportunity to tackle the
current challenges head-on, but also establish long-term and cost-effective solutions to the wider
challenges faced by individuals with assisted living needs in the home.
Successful innovation in this field is crucial to alleviate the strain on our health and social care
services and enhance the resilience of our communities. By collaborating across sectors and mobilising
Scotland’s ground-breaking technology, this project has the potential to bridge considerable gaps in
communication, break down institutional silos and facilitate wide-scale industry cooperation.
Ahead of the project’s official launch on July 1st 2020, organisers are encouraging those working in the care
sector or associated industries to get involved by participating in co-design workshops and focus groups to
identify the most urgent challenges faced by the sector. This will help assess the most promising existing and
emerging technologies for the project, and ensure that our focus remain on improved outcomes for key priority
groups with practical and feasible solutions.
The lab is also welcoming support from producers, suppliers and service companies of assistive technology,
telecare, telehealth, smart home solutions, and other Internet of Things products, such as ambient sensors,
alarm systems, wearable fitness devices, smart video calling software, and also network and infrastructure
providers.
OpenAAL in the News
Since its launch, OpenAAL has been featured in the press. Some notable examples include:
Future Opportunities to Meet and Work Together
There are still several ways you can get involved in OpenAAL:
- We are holding a Focus
Group on Digital & Robotic Technology with Care and Support Providers (Zoom) on Thursday 17
December 2020, between 10:00 and 11AM GMT.
- Contact us if you would like to make a virtual visit to the RALT, e.g. with a Zoom call or using one our
telepresence robots.
- Contact us if you are a carer or a care and support provider and would like to work together with a
specific focus group with us in January 2021.
- We are calling for end users, carers, care and support providers, SMEs and companies with innovative
products, interested in participating in our first co-design workshop, to be scheduled for the end of
January 2021 / February 2021.
- Sign up to our mailing list below to be kept up to date, or write to Dr. Mauro Dragone on
m.dragone@hw.ac.uk directly.
Join the OpenAAL Mailing List
Please fill out the form below if you are interested in further information and updates about OpenAAL and ways
to collaborate with us. For further information, you can also contact Dr. Mauro Dragone directly by email at
m.dragone@hw.ac.uk.