Designing Scalable Assistive Technologies and Services for Independent Healthy Living and Sustainable Market Development in the Mixed Digital Economy

The main objectives of this integrated project are to: (1) develop methods for designing scalable assistive technologies and services and new business models to promote sustainable market development for independent healthy living in a mixed digital economy; and (2) understand the factors that promote or inhibit the uptake, use and integration of assistive technologies for older people living in the community from a user-centred perspective. SALT brings together a multi-disciplinary team of senior academics with practitioners from business, design, health and social care services, government agencies, third sector organisations and user groups to develop innovative, workable solutions. The project also leverages the extensive resources, and expertise of the Design, Business and Connected Communities activities of SiDE, the RCUK Digital Economy Hub at Newcastle on Social Inclusion through the Digital Economy, and extensive business engagement programmes within Newcastle University. The close involvement of businesses, health and social care organisations and users will help identify a clear route to market. It makes a significant contribution to capacity building in the North East, by developing and testing innovative solutions within existing health and social care structures through co-production; exploring new business models for sustainable new market development through case studies; and informing and validating new workable solutions from a user-centred perspective.