High-tech home help
An assisted living lab is using remote-operated robots to help vulnerable people carry out day to day tasks in their own home. The project will bring together scientists, industry and care providers to examine the use of smart technology such as sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Laboratory for Open Ambient Assisted Living (OpenAAL) is based at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University and is part of the UK’s new National Robotarium.
Scientists from the university believe the lab is the first of its kind in the world. It’s hoped it will be able to harness the potential of smart technology to create affordable solutions to support people with assisted living needs and stop them from feeling cut off from human contact.
Experts at Heriot-Watt are already developing the first robot to be able to interact with several people at the same time. The ‘socially assistive robot’ aims to help elderly patients and combat loneliness.
