SMART SOCKS COULD HELP MILLIONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

“Smart socks” developed by a former Bristol Robotics Laboratory student could improve the wellbeing of millions of people with dementia, non-verbal autism and other conditions that affect communication.

Inventor Dr Zeke Steer quit his job as a software engineer and took a PhD at Bristol Robotics Laboratory so he could find a way to help people like his great grandmother, who became anxious and aggressive because of her dementia.

His smart socks track heart rate, sweat levels and motion to give insights on the wearer’s wellbeing – most importantly how anxious the person is feeling. They look and feel like normal socks, do not need charging, are machine washable and provide a steady stream of data to carers, who can easily see their patient’s metrics on an app.

Dr Steer said: “The foot is actually a great place to collect data about stress, and socks are a familiar piece of clothing that people wear every day.

“Our research shows that the socks can accurately recognise signs of stress –which could really help not just those with dementia and autism, but their carers too.”

His company, Milbotix now wants to work with innovative social care organisations to refine and evaluate the smart socks.

Green robotics start-up signs deal with energy giant

A start-up with University of Bristol roots has signed a deal with energy giant Enel to help keep its estimated 9,000 turbines spinning.

Perceptual Robotics use autonomous drones and artificial intelligence to detect early damage in wind turbines.

Now the company, founded by three Bristol former students, has landed a deal to inspect turbines owned by Enel Green Power, a subsidiary of Enel, the Italian multi-national manufacturer and distributor of electricity and gas and one of the biggest energy companies in the world.

Enel Green Power will use the data to carry out preventative maintenance –reducing costs and turbine stoppages while increasing safety.

Research shows that Perceptual Robotics’ technology is 14 per cent better at detecting damage than expert humans carrying out the same inspections.

Perceptual Robotics says it can reduce the cost of wind turbine blade maintenance by 30 per cent.

Last year Perceptual Robotics secured £1.6 million in a funding round.