An innovation to end isolation

It’s fitting that the CEO of Smart Services Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Warren Bradey, and the General Manager of Consult Point, Robert Samuel, joined forces to commercialise new messaging technology after saying hello for the first time at an ATP tenants meeting.

Keep In Touch – developed by University of Sydney Associate Professor Bob Kummerfeld and Professor Judy Kay, with Smart Services CRC Commercial Director Allen Greenhalgh – is a stunningly simple communication system. You tap an on-screen photo of the person you want to contact, speak your message out loud, touch the send button and you’re done.

To access an incoming message, you just touch the envelope icon that appears over the photo of the person who sent it.

Smart Services CRC works with leading Australian universities to develop smart technologies that have commercial potential. Its partner, Consult Point, offers strategic advice and change management support to clients undertaking complex information, communications and technology projects. Together they are launching this highly intuitive platform, packaged in a neat flat screen, to address the problem of social isolation.

Their system, originally called ‘grandparenting’, was developed to allow the elderly to keep in touch with their grandkids through friendly, seamless new technology. The final product can be used to exchange video and picture files, as well as audio files, and offers connectedness no matter what language you speak or time zone you are in. You don’t even need to know how to use a computer.

“Keep In Touch is a great way to be able to talk to my family, especially as I'm losing my vision,” says one elderly user. “It’s really nice to feel like I’m still close to them.”

Another user’s daughter agrees: “The kids come around to use it. They think it’s fantastic fun and send Pop messages twice a week.”

Although its core purpose is to enable older people to maintain contact with family and friends, Keep In Touch also has potential for broader patient care that includes monitoring the health and wellbeing of people living independently and in facilities.

Keep In Touch is undergoing trials and will be launched at the Aged and Community Services Australia national conference next month.

agedcare.org.au
consultpoint.com.au
smartservicescrc.com.au