Winning Ideas
2007 winner: Eric Goodyer, MobiAssist -
Supporting independent lifestyles through mobile telecare
DESCRIPTION
You and I are now living longer lives and one of the key Government and EU policy initiatives is to support the older generation in leading self-sufficient lives that many are currently unable to live today. They estimate that by 2020, 25% of the EU population will be over the age of 65 and could still face many obstacles that challenge the elderly today.
Through Mobile TeleCare, we aim to enable them to live an independent lifestyle [European Commission is investing over € 1bn into research and innovation initiatives]. MobiAssist will develop a concept that is far reaching and is mobile, unobtrusive, usable and discrete. It will provide users with enhanced peace of mind and confidence to leave their homes as it continuously monitors their personal well-being. MobiAssist will only summon assistance when key indicators move to critical status i.e. in potentially life threatening, or urgent situations.
In the event of an emergency, a personal care plan, designed by the care provider to suit the individual user, invokes an agreed strategy for response. Physiological sensors monitored through this service can range from observing the user’s heart rate by wearing a wristband through to a glove that includes an oximeter and a level sensor to detect a fall. Devices designed around this concept will include an embedded mobile module that automatically dials out, connects and uploads the alarm plus patient data. The assisted technology utilised to develop the concept will enable users to enjoy the independent lifestyle the majority of the population takes for granted.
INNOVATION
MobiAssit takes the home-telecare concept to the next logical level; many commentators consider mobile telecare to be the foundation for the next generation of devices that will evolve from the market. The MobiAssit developments that we propose will be more than simple tracking’ devices for users outside of the home - that technology is already being developed. In order to increase usefulness when compared to current technologies, we aim to combine mobile phone technology with a distributed network of personal physiological sensors.
TARGET MARKET
Main beneficiaries are likely to be older or vulnerable people, and patients that have been released from primary care into the community. This technology can help give these people the independence to improve the quality of their lives as well as reducing the strain on social and health care services and community care providers. 1.5 million people in the UK currently rely on telecare products to give them the confidence they need to lead an independent life. Research conducted by the Telecare Services Association found that 90% of people want to be self-sufficient in their own homes.
CUSTOMER BENEFIT
MobiAssist has the potential to release scarce resources in the health and social care services thus reducing waiting lists and releasing beds so they are available for more needy users. The design aims to enhance older and vulnerable people’s quality of life by improving their physical and mental well-being. It provides them with safety and backup to enable them to be part of society by enabling increased interaction with friends, neighbours and relatives.
Contact:
Mr. Reg Warren
Gateway House, The Gateway
LE1 9BH, Leicester
United Kingdom
phone: +44 (0) 116 250 63 39
e-mail: cse-development@dmu.ac.uk
www.dmu.ac.uk
CONOR KEEGAN - UNITED KINGDOM and 2006 Galileo Master GEOSYNCH™ - Seismography using GNSS timing signals
There are currently multiple commercial seismography applications available, including mineral or hydrocarbon prospecting, groundwater investigations, environmental and hazardous waste site studies, archaeology and civil engineering.
Seismography is based on transmitting pressure waves from a source through the earth or sea, receiving these waves using a network of distributed sensors, and deducing the subsurface composition and features from the received signals. The cost and complexity of seismological surveys vary widely, but the two main drivers are:
- The cost, reliability and weight of cables connecting the sensors
- The cost of large numbers of seismographic sensors
GNSS systems broadcast very precise timing signals that can be used to derive an extremely accurate absolute time reference. This information can be received by seismography sources and sensors equipped with GNSS receivers. Time-tagging both transmitted and received seismic signals with this absolute time reference, and combining it with the measured GNSS positions of the sources and sensors, will remove the need for connecting cables. A single sensor connected to a PC carried in a backpack could be used to perform seismographic surveys.
This will considerably reduce the minimum cost of seismography surveys, and open up the lower end of the seismography market. It could be used for example by development agencies to locate sites for water wells; to survey potential archaeological sites before starting digs; or by local councils to perform hazardous waste site studies.
The main advantages of the system are:
- Cost, weight, reliability and portability: Only one portable sensor and a seismic source, each with a GNSS receiver, are required. No cables are needed.
- Compatibility with existing systems: The system is compatible with existing sensor technologies and processing software.
- Flexibility and accuracy: Sensors can be placed wherever desired, instead of being restricted to rectangular cable- based array grids.
- Real-time investigation: The operator can increase survey resolution in real-time by adding extra measurement points.
- Reduced environmental impact and constraints: Surveys can be performed in areas covered by vegetation or buildings.
The system also has potential applications in scientific seismology and natural disaster management. The accuracy of the GNSS timing signals will allow detailed variations in subsurface stress or composition to be measured over time. Installing a GNSS seismography network in earthquake/tsunami prone or volcanic areas could help predict earthquake or volcanic activity and reduce the impact of these events on the local population.
Contact:
Genesys Consultancy
Conor Keegan
Ballacooil, Llahg Road
Dalby, Isle of Man IM5 3BU
United Kingdom
+33 607644732
genesys-consultancy@cegetel.net
Galileo Masters 2005 UK Winner: Tracker<<Back and Richard White
GNSS application for logistics’ management and Duty Of Care
email: richard.white640@ntlworld.com
Web: www.trackerback.co.uk
Tracker<<Backs service enables shipments which could take the form of hazardous / waste materials, valuable items (Jewellery, documentation, £ billion Equipment) through to items of Government importance (MoD, Policies and Legislation) to be transferred securely.
Tracker<<Backs versatility means it can support numerous industries or sectors where it is important to be able to trace where consignments originated from, the delivery process and to where they were delivered to; this is through Tracker<<Backs unique web service guaranteeing the transfer mechanism.
Using SATNAV positioning and the Tracker<<Back system, the organisation is able to pinpoint Duty of Care in delivery and collection, providing you with a quick and accurate location of all consignments. The system not only shows transfer and receipt, it also allows the entire lifecycle of ownership of materials or machinery being moved to be tracked and traced.
The technology is now being piloted with one of the Galileo Masters corporate sponsors EADS Astrium.
Tracker<<Back has obtained excellent technical results. The trial has offered Tracker<<Back a corporate customer refinement process, the credibility of working with a leading worldwide organisation, and the possibility of a significant commercial agreement.
Since winning the Galileo Masters 2005 competition Richard has received significant support from HBIC with activities such as:
- Raising the Tracker<<Back profile with support in press releases
- Attending and exhibiting at Systems Fair in Germany
- Discussions with a leading European organisation interested in trailing the technology
- Discussions with the Environment Agency to support the introduction of new environmental legislation in July 2006
- Presentation at the Royal Institute of Navigation annual Conference
- Development of business plan and roadmap for the commercialisation of the technology
- Tracker<<Back IP protection
- Introduction to regional Network ee-NET
The UK Galileo Winners Title has focused interest in Tracker<<Back through the website
www.trackerback.co.uk this has also seen support through UK Trade and Industry in the Middle East and the USA.
Paul Quineteiro Alexander - Galileo 2005 UK Finalist
PARTEM
Vehicular Obstruction Location Identification System (VOLIS)
This system was designed to enable observation of vehicle obstruction in circumstances not currently easy to identify.
The system is wireless and uses low cost sensors with no loss of quality. Being wireless also means that it can be placed anywhere, and can handle billions of messages per second, allowing billions of sensors.
This system can support in highlighting illegal parking, abnormal obstructions outside of sensitive buildings, vehicles stopped at roadworks or accident blackspots. All of these can allow immediate action to be taken, saving lives, congestion and accidents.
As one of the finalists for the 2005 competition Paul was able to meet with the Daily Telegraph at the launch of the 2006 competition and subsequently had an article published in the Daily Telegraph about their idea. This has subsequently been picked up by their local BBC station who are also interested in their idea
Since entering the Galileo Masters Competition Paul has received support from HBIC in:
- The development of the business plan in order to present to potential investors
- Introducing two universities interested in supporting the development of the prototype.
- Identifying Technology Consultants to support in the development of a prototype
- Advice from Patent Agent
- Project presented to HBIC Technology Review Table
- Business plan put forward to corporate venturing department of a leading global company.
Michael Castle - Galileo 2005 UK Finalist
Collision Alert Transponder System (CATS) for light aircraft and gliders
Email: mfcastle@fireflynet.co.uk
Patent application is in process. Details of the device will follow once patented.
Since Entering the Galileo Masters Competition Michael has had support in developing CATS from HBIC in:
- Receiving support from Patent Attorney
- Expressed interest in submitting an application for investigating an innovative idea
- Received feedback from HBIC Technology Review Table
- Received interest from Corporate Venturing Dept of a leading global organisation
- Participated in Innovation Management Workshop with the Design Council
Rolf & Julia Crook - Galileo 2005 UK Finalist
GNSS application for the sport of Orienteering
Patent application is in process. Details of the device will follow once patented.
Since Entering the Galileo Masters Competition Julia has received support from HBIC in:
- Received support from patent attorney
- Project presented to HBIC Technology Review Table to identify commercial potential and technology feasibility.
- Business planning and product development process.
Steve Keyworth & Chris Finch - Galileo 2005 UK Finalist
EveryWhichWay
steve.keyworth@everywhichway.biz
EveryWhichWay is a sophisticated virtual travelling companion. For the user it will provide local environmental and cultural information as he or she travels through the rural or urban landscape, thereby bringing the local area to life and enriching their travelling experience. EveryWhichWay is in practice a software product that will reside on an inbuilt car computer or Sat Nav system
Technically EveryWhichWay brings together the three ‘cutting edge’ technologies of Global Positioning (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and text-to-speech. The product requires:
- GPS that knows the precise location of the traveller at any point in time, and their date of travel
- A GIS database that knows what else exists around that location, and holds datasets of features such as the boundaries of landscape types and administrative areas, and the location of key point features such as historic or cultural sites
- A contextual database that contains ‘rich’ information content about the landscape, countryside, history and culture of each area
- Text-to-speech software, that delivers the contextual information to the user
- The integration of these technologies to form the product for the marketplace.
Since entering the Galileo Masters Competition EveryWhichWay has received support from HBIC in:
- Advice in the development of a business plan to commercialise the technology
- Feedback from HBIC Technology Review Table highlighting tourist market, especially in face of 2012 Olympic Games
- Is in the process of preparing an application for an R&D Grant to support the development of a prototype.
- Received interest from Corporate Venturing Dept of a leading global organisation
Victoria O’Donoghue - Galileo 2005 UK Finalist
Parent - Child Tracking Device
Email: victoria@safeandsoundsystemsltd.co.uk
This parent - Child tracking device allows tracking for people with learning difficulties and adventurous toddlers who frequently wander off from their parents. Working both in and outdoors this device has a digital distance reading system to determine the exact distance between parent and child.
With a dramatic 45% increase in cases of child abduction offences in 2003 (police records) and a recent poll conducted by Mori showing that 60% of parents in the UK are now less likely to let their children out of their sight to play or see their friends, this invention will help avoid the tragedies experienced by more than 850 parents and bring some feeling of security into their lives. The system offers parents the comfort of knowing where their children are in a simple and stylish way. The GNSS signal is used to locate the child via a service provider.
Since entering the Galileo Masters competition the parent - child tracking device has received support from HBIC with:
Received support from Patent attorney
Introduced to regional Network ee-NET
Received support is the development of the business plan in order to present to potential investors
- Gaining initial investment from Business Angels, with potential for further investment
- Identified two universities wanting to support with the development of the technology
- Developed relationships with large technical consultants, distributors and mobile phone operators
- Participated in Innovation Management Workshop with the Design Council
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