Project KITE

Project KITE was established to enable a collaborative approach, between academics, clinicians, computer scientists, social services and local SMEs. Following a brainstorming meeting to identify a real world problem it was decided to focus on the development of a working prototype, capable of being trialled and potentially commercialised, to enable safe walking by individuals with dementia.

Project KITE was established to enable a collaborative approach, between academics, clinicians, computer scientists, social services and local SMEs.

Following a brainstorming meeting to identify a real world problem it was decided to focus on the development of a working prototype, capable of being trialled and potentially commercialised, to enable safe walking by individuals with dementia.

Working with the Institute for Ageing and Health (Newcastle University), the project tackled this real issue in a unique way through the establishment of focus groups consisting of People With Dementia and their carers, to hear first hand what a solution should look like, feel like and how it should operate functionally and fit into everyday life. The traditional approach has been to consider the dangers or issues that People With Dementia face and design solutions to manages these issues, versus considering the needs and desires of People With Dementia and their right and desire to walk, with a degree of risk.

Using the output and direction of the focus groups, Cels engaged The Culture Lab (Newcastle University) who offer a unique research infrastructure environment for academics and practitioners to work beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Culture Lab undertook a series of participatory design workshops and managed the development of the prototype using agile development techniques. Through the support and input of local SMEs with expertise in the areas of Telecare (Tynetec Limited) and GPS and tracking solutions (Trackaphone, Circuitree) the project was able to make best use of existing proven technology and focus on unique combinations and applications of the technology to deliver solutions that matched the demands of the focus groups.

As the project was aiming to deliver personable solutions, to understand how we could best meet the needs of individuals in their day to day life, two specific applications were delivered: the 'runner' and the 'driver', each focussing on the particular needs of these individuals.

Next steps are to listen to feedback from field trials, from the runner and the driver, and to consider how the solution can be modularised, whilst lending itself to personal applications, through technical and design improvements.

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