FitBees

The market for digitally supported fitness is vibrant, but recognised players focus on high achievement messages for the already motivated and engaged. In the meantime, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, over six million people aged 55+ in England were physically inactive, and one million more became inactive during the pandemic lockdowns. This negative impact has been most acute across areas of high deprivation and "under-represented" groups, who are not engaging, physically or digitally, with the market -- those over 75, BAME, and those experiencing disability, chronic conditions, or mental health issues. The FitBees service addresses this significant, and important, market gap. It combines AI home sensors and wearable technologies, motivational encouragement, and local community connections to support physical activity. The aim of the FitBees service is to engage 'under-represented" groups to: initiate tech-enabled activity assessments to share their needs and challenges; partner with their circle of support and local actuators to co-create community-based activity plans; remain motivated and supported. It will also enable health and care practitioners to access activity diaries to assess changing needs; and enable local authorities and support organisations to optimise community resources aimed at active ageing. FitBees is led by Tendertec Limited, a company with an AI platform (CareBox) that monitors daily living activities and vitals for people with carers. CareBox is currently piloted in the UK and EU and the learnings derived from this service confirm the importance of turning data intelligence into real-life actions for people with support needs. Alongside is KYMIRA, a company producing patented smart garments that provide biomechanical assessment of the lower extremities. During the project, users will participate in research, testing, and an iterative co-design process. This will be in collaboration with research teams at the University of the West of England (UWE), Hft Trust Ltd, an organisation supporting independent living for those with learning difficulties, and The Community Housing Group (Amica24). The vision for FitBees is to become an exemplar to be replicated across the UK and help those people most likely to become inactive and socially isolated to reap the benefits of physical activity combined with social connection.