Completed Psychology & Behaviour Education & Skills

Transforming how people with disabilities find life-changing assistive technology (AT)

Funder InnovateUK (part of UKRI)
Recipient organisation Humansauce LTD
Funding £41K
Period Jun 2025 — Oct 2025

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

People with disabilities currently spend weeks or months searching for the right assistive technology—a wheelchair, a voice-controlled cooker, a specialised car hand control—because no central, reliable system exists to match products to individual needs. This project builds an AI-powered platform that combines clinical expertise, user reviews, and personal preferences to recommend assistive technology for everyday tasks such as cooking, commuting, and personal care. The problem is that existing product databases are fragmented, outdated, or generic, forcing people to rely on word-of-mouth or trial and error. The platform is being co-designed with occupational therapists, designers, and users with a range of disabilities to ensure it remains inclusive and practical. If successful, the platform could cut the time spent searching for suitable assistive technology from months to minutes. That would mean faster access to devices that enable independent living, reduce reliance on carers, and improve well-being. It would also give clinicians a standardised tool for making evidence-based recommendations, reducing the guesswork in prescribing equipment. The project is applied and user-focused, not fundamental science—its value lies in making an existing system faster, fairer, and more person-centred.

View original technical description
Our project aims to create an innovative, AI-powered platform that helps people with disabilities discover and select the assistive technology (AT) products best suited to their individual needs. The platform combines clinical expertise, user feedback, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence to provide tailored recommendations for everyday tasks like cooking, commuting, and more. Throughout this project, we will work closely with occupational therapists, designers, and individuals with a wide range of disabilities to ensure the platform remains inclusive and user-friendly. By focusing on person-centered design, we hope to empower more people to live independently, improve overall well-being, and reduce the time spent searching for suitable AT solutions. Key activities include: * **Research and User Engagement**: Gathering real-life insights from people with disabilities to shape our platform's features and user experience. * **Platform Prototype Development**: Building and testing a- simplified - platform that provides recommendations in a quick, conversational way. * **Collaboration with Experts**: Partnering with users and clinicians to ensure accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Our vision is to transform the way people discover assistive technology, making the process faster, more inclusive, and better aligned with individual needs. By integrating innovative AI solutions and direct user feedback, we hope to promote a more equitable and supportive environment for everyone who requires assistive devices.

View the original record at the funder ↗

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Original classification

Business Connect

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