Cambridge Engineers Pioneer New Dementia Support Technology
Two innovative engineers from Cambridge have developed a groundbreaking technological system specifically designed to help individuals living with dementia maintain their independence at home for longer periods. Dr Matt Ash and Dr James Brown have created the SenS2 system, which aims to provide families with crucial peace of mind while carefully preserving their loved ones' privacy and dignity.
Personal Inspiration Behind the Innovation
The project originated from a deeply personal experience when Dr Ash's mother began showing signs of dementia during the pandemic. Living two hours away while balancing work and family responsibilities, Dr Ash recognised the urgent need for a simpler, more effective way to monitor his mother's wellbeing without constant physical presence.
"During the pandemic, my mum started to show signs of dementia, and post-pandemic I started to go part-time at work to support her – me and my siblings all pulled together to look after her," Dr Ash explained. "She was living at home on her own at the time, and we were all living two hours away, and each of us have children."
Addressing Practical Challenges
When searching for existing solutions, the engineers discovered that current technologies like smartwatches often proved impractical because dementia patients frequently forgot to charge or wear them. This realisation prompted them to establish their start-up, Supersense Technologies, with the specific mission of creating a tool that bridges the crucial gap between safety requirements and personal autonomy.
"We essentially couldn't find technology out there to help us. We knew technology could help, but we just couldn't find anything suitable for mum," Dr Ash revealed about their initial search for appropriate solutions.
The SenS2 System Explained
The SenS2 system functions as an unobtrusive, A4-sized hub that discreetly monitors daily habits and alerts family members to significant deviations from established routines. Unlike traditional monitoring technologies, this innovative system requires no active user participation and completely avoids the privacy concerns associated with camera-based surveillance.
"We're trying to really go beyond that: Make it really usable, really simple to set up, but also provide direct insights to families, so that they're not having to scrutinise complicated dashboards," Dr Ash explained. "There's no multiple sensors to pair, there's no wearable to remember to wear and charge, it's just the box."
How the Technology Works in Practice
The system delivers updates to families through familiar platforms like WhatsApp, enabling them to intervene only when the data indicates a genuine change in the person's wellbeing or sleep patterns. This targeted approach prevents unnecessary interference while ensuring timely support when genuinely needed.
"For example, we've noticed mum got up a lot more than usual last night, and it might be worth checking in with her," Dr Ash illustrated. "(It's designed to) help the family better understand what's happening when they're not there, so that they can respond – whether it's trying to make that visit, that phone call," Dr Brown added.
National Recognition and Future Development
The project has achieved significant national recognition, securing a prestigious position as one of five finalists for the £1 million Longitude Prize on Dementia. This substantial funding initiative, supported by the Alzheimer's Society and Innovate UK, aims to accelerate the deployment of life-changing assistive technologies across the United Kingdom.
Currently in its final development phase, the system is not yet available for general purchase. However, the creators are actively seeking households to participate in testing programmes, offering early adopters the opportunity to contribute to this important technological advancement.
Clarifying the System's Purpose
"We're not trying to replace the carer. We're not a care bot or anything like that!" Dr Brown clarified regarding the tool's fundamental purpose. Instead, the system empowers families to make informed decisions about when professional care might become necessary, often helping to preserve the user's autonomy for extended periods.
"We have a family using our system who were looking to bring in professional help for their mum... but they were able to advocate for mum's ability to get herself ready in the morning, based on our data," Dr Ash explained, highlighting the system's practical benefits.
Regardless of the final prize outcome in March, the Cambridge-based team remains steadfastly committed to refining a tool that approaches ageing with the dignity, respect, and privacy it fundamentally deserves, potentially transforming dementia care approaches across the nation.
