One million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition, and 10% are disabled as a result. For many, both professional and unpaid carers provide essential support at home to carry out daily tasks and enable access to leisure activities that support wellbeing. However, emerging technologies have been shown to help return independence.

The partnership, announced on the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, will see researchers from the National Robotarium’s Assisted Living Lab work in collaboration with guests at Leuchie House to develop advanced technologies that address specific needs.

Robotics and AI technologies will be developed at the National Robotarium to help people with a wide range of assistive needs. For example, to provide support after a stroke and to monitor for deterioration in conditions such as dementia. By combining sensor technology and robotics, data can be collected over longer periods of time, helping to monitor patients and alert carers to when a care package may need to be reviewed.

The National Robotarium, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative and is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4m from the Scottish Government through the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal - a 15-year investment programme jointly funded by both governments and regional partners. 

Professor Lynne Baillie, head of the Assisted Living Lab at the National Robotarium, said: “Our partnership with Leuchie House will allow us to work collaboratively with their guests and carers to develop assisted living technology that truly works for users. We will engage directly with individuals to learn more about their unique needs and hear their ideas about how robotic and sensing technologies could provide support. 

“Guests will then be invited to our Assisted Living Lab at the National Robotarium to participate in trials of technologies designed to meet these needs in a realistic home setting.”

UK Government minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “The innovative use of robots in social care has the potential to improve people’s lives and help them to live independently. I welcome the National Robotarium’s partnership with Leuchie House and look forward to seeing its progress.

“The UK Government is investing £21m in the National Robotarium as part of £1.7bn for projects to level-up communities in every part of Scotland.”

Leuchie House is a national charity dedicated to supporting people living with the long-term effects of a range of neurological conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s, MND and stroke, through individualised short respite breaks, as well as an essential break for their carers. 

Mark Bevan, CEO at Leuchie House, said: “Leuchie House is traditionally known for our class leading residential short breaks and, building from this strength, we have been introducing guests and those who care for them to the benefits of enabling technology, which can restore independence and self-management. Our rooms for example are equipped with voice activated environmental controls, to show our guests the art of the possible. 

“Our Technology team works with guests to install similar technologies at home, giving them and those who care for them more independence and complementing residential short breaks. This exciting partnership between the National Respite Centre and the National Robotarium is a further example of how we can build on the past and re-imagine respite for the future. It is a key part of our creation of a new National Centre for Enabling Technology.”

The Centre for Enabling Technology was recently opened onsite at Leuchie House to trial and test technology that can support the needs of people with assisted living requirements. The Centre will offer assessments and trials of mainstream and emerging technologies for guests, provide training for individuals, their families and carers, and deliver ongoing support at home. 

Examples of tasks that technology can help users complete include opening doors, switching lights on and off, opening and closing curtains, watching TV, listening to the radio and making phone calls.

In addition to extending the technological support available for individuals, the project with the National Robotarium aims to assist carers and reduce the ongoing pressure on the social care sector. There are 1.1 million unpaid carers in Scotland, and one in five carers report not having had a break in over five years. Through assisted living technology, not only can individuals with disabilities gain greater independence, but carers can benefit from greater support.

The National Robotarium works with industry and societal partners to develop solutions to global challenges using robotics and AI. Current collaborations in the health and social care sector include a research project with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland to explore how robots could assist stroke survivors in their daily lives and a collaboration with Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh to investigate ways a humanoid robot could help stroke patients complete physical therapy exercises in between formal sessions with a physiotherapist.

By working in collaboration with guests, carers and families at Leuchie House, it is hoped the technology developed at the National Robotarium could provide support to individuals not only at the centre, but across Scotland, the UK and beyond.