- A Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Legrand Care to develop a blueprint for the world’s first-to-market predictive assisted-living system
- This system aims to help older people live independently for longer and more securely
- The project will create a scientifically validated blueprint for the world’s first-to-market predictive assisted-living system.
Aston University’s experts in AI and business optimisation are coming together with a global telecare provider to rethink how to deliver at-home monitoring to prevent falls and other incidents.
Aiming to help older people live independently for longer and more securely, the project will create a scientifically validated blueprint for the world’s first-to-market predictive assisted-living system.
Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Legrand Care, the research team are developing new ways to use and understand patterns of sensor data from across the home environment. By carefully monitoring changes to an individual’s day-to-day conditions and patterns, the novel system will be able to predict and signal various issues - such as loneliness, dementia, depression and risk of falls - so preventative care can be given. It will incorporate machine learning, advanced data analytics and the latest knowledge of human behaviour.
Ensuring the system can be widely adopted will be crucial because many assistive-living devices are purchased but rarely used. The project will determine the optimal range of sensors needed for a system that is both predictive and minimally disruptive. Expertise in business model innovation and human centred-design will support Legrand Care to develop a package that is technically advanced, affordable and acceptable to users.
If offered widely, this next generation predictive system has the potential to transform the care sector, with smart sensors across connected home and care environments that support care givers and provide peace of mind to relatives. Typically, care in these settings is reactive, responding only after a fall or incident has taken place. Preventing incidents will help to improve the long-term health and independence of older people so they can go about their day-to-day activities with confidence. Predictive assisted-living technology also has potential to facilitate more personalised care from service providers and reduce pressures on acute care services.
Inigo Ruiz, product and marketing director at Legrand Care, said: “Alongside the team’s collaborative spirit to improve wellbeing for older people, one of the most exciting aspects of this project is the opportunity to access the breadth and depth of expertise from across Aston University. Offering a preventative, predictive system will transform how at-home services are delivered, helping care providers to give the best possible proactive care for older adults.”
Dr Luis Manso, senior lecturer (associate professor) in applied AI & robotics at the Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application (ACAIRA) said: “The level of involvement of every member of our multidisciplinary team on this KTP is really refreshing as we all bring different perspectives to the table. By applying our predictive models to a completely different domain, we’re helping Legrand Care to not just develop new products, but to improve the products they already have.”
To overcome both the technological and business challenges associated with this level of innovation, the Aston University team are applying extensive academic insights in product design engineering, data analytics, statistical modelling, machine learning, human behaviour and business model innovation.
The KTP is led by a team across ACAIRA and Aston Business School. Recognised internationally for expertise in computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), and business optimisation, applied research across these groups is developing AI-based solutions to address critical social, health, and environmental challenges. This includes through a series of impactful KTP projects in advanced traffic monitoring, fraud detection and crop production. Their collaborative research contributes significantly to Aston University’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, delivering transformational change with industry partners at regional, national and international levels.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, funded by Innovate UK, are collaborations between a business, a university and a highly qualified research associate. The UK-wide programme helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills. Aston University is a sector leading KTP provider, ranked first for project quality, and joint first for the volume of active projects.
For more information on the KTP visit the webpage.
- Notes to editors
Watch our short film to see how it works and visit our website for examples of KTP in action at Aston.
To find out more about how your business can benefit from working with Aston University, please email ktp@aston.ac.uk.
The KTP is led at Aston University by Dr Luis Manso, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Applied AI & Robotics at the Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application (ACAIRA). With research expertise in active perception, assistive robotics, object detection and modelling, Dr Manso leads work to determine the optimal specification of sensors needed for a predictive system to function and supports the KTP Associate.
The team are supported by Dr Ahmad Beltagui, Associate Professor in the Aston Business School, with Dr Zhuangzhuang Dai and Dr Martin Rudorfer, who are both Lecturers in Applied AI & Robotics at ACAIRA.Dr Beltagui’s research focuses on design and innovation, with a focus on the application of digital technologies and human-centered design. His expertise will be key to developing ways for Legrand Care to market the predictive software to customers. Dr Zhuangzhuang Dai, a previous KTP Associate, brings expertise in microcrontrollers, wireless communication, machine learning, sensors and simultaneous localisation and mapping. Dr Rudorfer brings expertise in robotics and autonomous systems, mathematics for AI and ethics in robotics and AI.
Marina Vicini is the KTP Associate. Alongside data collection and analytics, Marina bridges across the partnership, supporting both sides to benefit both commercially and academically from the project.
For Legrand Care, Inigo Ruiz, Product and Marketing Director leads the project with support from Maria Pardo García, Product Manager. Legrand Care is a brand specialising in the innovative development of connected solutions for the health and social care sectors.
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk