CHIRON is a two year project funded by Innovate UK. Striving to design care robotics for the future with a focus on dignity, independence and choice.
What is CHIRON?
CHIRON doesn’t have one body, but many. A set of intelligent modular robotic systems, located in multiple positions around your home; CHIRON could help you with personal hygiene tasks in the morning, help you get ready for the day and even support you in preparing your favourite meal in the kitchen.
CHIRON’s various components can be mixed and matched to enable the customer to undertake a wide range of domestic and self care tasks independently or enable a care worker to assist an increased number of customers.
The vision for CHIRON is to move from an ‘end of life’ institutional model, widely regarded as unsustainable and not fit for purpose, to a more dynamic and flexible market offering people greater choice in the care sector when they require it.
Who is involved?
The CHIRON project is being managed by a consortium led by Designability. The key technology partners are Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Shadow Robot Company, who have considerable expertise in conducting pioneering research and development in robotics.
Award winning social enterprise care provider, Three Sisters Care will bring user-centred design to the very core of our project. Smart Homes & Buildings Association will work to introduce the range of devices that will create CHIRON and make it an indispensable presence in our homes.
Why is it needed?
In less than 20 years’ time the number of over 65s in the UK, currently at 10 million, will have risen to 17 million. Yet estimates show we won’t have sufficient care workers to tend to this ageing population.
The demand on our existing healthcare services will require fresh ideas and perspectives for how we face these challenges. The long term care market is currently worth over £20 billion to UK economy. It is expected to grow up to 50% by 2020.
Who is funding the project?
The funding for this project has been awarded by Innovate UK’s Long Term Care Revolution SBRI national challenge which aims to revolutionise long term care
in the UK through business-led innovation. It is a two year project aiming to finish in February 2018.
For further information on Innovate UK please visit www.gov.uk/innovateuk
For more information on the key people leading this project go to Profiles –
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