Coastline Housing is taking part in a multi-faceted research project in Cornwall to develop new e-health products, processes and services.
Smartline is a three-year (2017-2020) project led by the University of Exeter alongside Coastline Housing, Volunteer Cornwall and Cornwall Council. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund with additional funding from the South West Academic Health Science Network.
The project has recruited 350 Coastline customers to install a variety of sensors into their homes to collect data on internal air temperature, humidity, air quality and gas, electric and water consumption. Based on the data collected from the sensors and household surveys, the project will support individuals to engage with their communities, through volunteering or participation in activities. It is anticipated that this will address issues such as isolation and that new products or services will support independent living, refocusing demand away from existing statutory services.
Dr Tim Taylor, senior lecturer, University of Exeter Medical School and Smartline principle investigator, said, “Our aim is to digitally connect Cornish communities to help individuals take back control of their health and wellbeing. Cornwall is the perfect starting point for this project because the infrastructure, talent, resources and general sense of community already exist.”
Smartline will work with Cornish enterprises to develop the next generation of smart technology to improve wellbeing in the homes of the future. The enterprises will be assessed for eligibility and then offered support in the form of grants, access to academic expertise or access to the households to test products and services.
The project is receiving around £3.7 million of funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
