PRESS RELEASE
10th September 2024
AI Startup Tendertec Secures Innovate UK Design Foundations Grant for ‘Project Dandelion’
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Tendertec, working with support partner, Hft, and design partner, Design Rally, is addressing the repairability, returnability, and reusability of its Hestia sensors, an innovative social care AI technology solution revolutionising safety and fitness support in home environments.
The thermal sensors, typically fitted by care staff or caregivers, are part of the Hestia AI platform which provides vital home safety features. They can detect falls, near-falls, seizures, body temperature trends, and daily activities. This technology, installed in numerous care settings and living environments as part of the UKRI funded FitBees project, has shown promise in promoting physical fitness and social connection, significantly benefiting individuals receiving care assistance in home environments.
Digital Healthcare and Sustainability
There are enormous opportunities presented by digitisation in providing cheaper, more effective and efficient care. However, as recognised in NHS England’s Health Technical Memorandum, the introduction of technology increases the quantities of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in the future. With a circular design lens, Project Dandelion explores a suite of factors that impact on the successful long-term installation and use, supported with efficient removal, return and reuse options. The project team is working on five inter-related areas that reflect the full lifecycle:
- Packaging options
- Redesign of sensors
- Installation guidance
- Personalisation of sensors
- Return and reuse options
Driving Sustainable Practices and User-Centric Vision with Design Rally:
Bringing over 20 years of experience as a design management professional and sustainable design advocate, Lynne Elvins, the founder of Design Rally, plays a crucial role in shaping Project Dandelion and maintaining a user-centred design approach. With a commitment to reducing waste and environmental impact, Tendertec is aligned with the net-zero agenda, minimising environmental impact and ensuring a sustainable and efficient care assistance experience. Stakeholder and end-user feedback guide Tendertec’s design strategy, aspiring to make care assistance universally accessible and creating a positive societal impact.
Innovate UK Grant Impact:
This project is made possible through 100% funding support of the Innovate UK Design Foundations Grant. Securing the Innovate UK grant funding provides the potential to de-risk the product environment and enables Tendertec to explore AI sensor model concepts as an early-stage Research and Development (R&D), strengthening their position when pitching to investors and stakeholders for future technology development stages. The funding is going to significantly accelerate and enhance the project’s development towards later-stage R&D.
Pioneering Tech Enabled Care with Hft:
Collaborating with support partner, Hft, a national support provider for learning disabled adults, Tendertec leverages Hft’s extensive experience in the use and implementation of technology for the people they support. With its input, Tendertec has the potential to make significant impacts in the UK’s ageing population. Enhanced design aims to increase autonomy and wellness among care recipients, optimise staffing levels in social care, reduce strain on healthcare professionals and emergency services, and offer support to informal caregivers, enabling them to handle their duties more effectively. This can result in increased workforce participation, reduced absenteeism, reduction in staff turnover and improved productivity, fostering a stronger and more resilient workforce.
Towards a More Inclusive Future:
Tendertec, with the support of the Innovate UK Design Foundations Grant, stands at the forefront of a transformative journey to redefine home-based care assistance, focusing on the groundbreaking integration of enhanced AI sensors.
About Tendertec
Tendertec is bringing connected care to the world. The award-winning team is developing solutions delivering better care, anytime and anywhere, through powerful AI. Tendertec partners with leading research institutions, tech-enabled care providers and cutting-edge technology partners to research, design and commercialise the next generation of digital health and connected care technologies.
About Hft
Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is creating a future where learning disabled people can live the best life possible, in a kind and inclusive community.
As a learning disability ally, Hft is on a mission to change the lives of learning disabled people for the better. Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
For more information about Hft, please visit www.hft.org.uk
About Design Rally
Design Rally, led by Lynne Elvins, brings over 20 years of design management and sustainable design advocacy to the collaboration, playing a crucial role in shaping impactful and inclusive solutions within Project Dandelion.
For further information please contact:
Lucy James
Tendertec
Email: contact@tendertec.org
ENDS