Defoes Lifestyle Travel Team

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Introduction

Sunderland Smart Home Showcases Assistive Technology for Enhanced Living

A former caretaker’s house was transformed into a cutting-edge smart home for accessibility. In a pioneering initiative, a former caretaker’s house on Leechmere Industrial Estate in Sunderland has been transformed into a smart home, showcasing the latest assistive technology to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The Sunderland City Council-created show home offers a variety of cutting-edge technologies, making it a useful resource for occupational therapists, technologists, and people looking for solutions for enhanced living.

Key Features of the Smart Home:

Refillable Dog Bowl and AI Vacuum Cleaner: Among the showcased technologies are a refillable dog bowl and an artificial intelligence (AI) vacuum cleaner, designed to cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities and make daily tasks more accessible.
Voice-Activated Gadgets: The smart home integrates Alexa-driven gadgets, allowing users to control various devices through voice commands. This includes curtains that can be opened using a smart speaker, offering increased independence and convenience.
Stair Lift: The property features a stair lift, enhancing mobility within the home and ensuring accessibility to different levels.
Real-Home Environment: The design philosophy behind the smart home emphasises creating a realistic and non-clinical environment. The technology showcased is based on existing high-street technology, making it easily accessible and applicable in real-life scenarios.

Purpose and Utility:

The smart home will serve as a testing ground for occupational therapists and technologists, providing them with a space to explore new ideas and train teams on the practical application of assistive technology. The project is a collaborative effort by Sunderland City Council’s adult services team and Sunderland Care and Support.

Councillor Kelly Chequer’s Perspective:

Councillor Kelly Chequer highlighted the importance of the smart home as a tool to ensure that “nobody is left behind.” The initiative aims to empower individuals with disabilities by incorporating technology that enhances their daily lives, fosters independence, and improves overall well-being.

Occupational Therapy Team Manager’s Insights:

Linsey Proud, Occupational Therapy Team Manager, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The technology is ever-developing, and it’s been amazing watching the house go from a shell to a place where we can demonstrate what is available for our customers in a real home environment that doesn’t feel clinical.”

The Sunderland smart home stands as a testament to the transformative potential of technology in creating inclusive and accessible living spaces, aligning with the broader goal of ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.