The SPHERE project - A Sensor Platform for Healthcare in a Residential Environment

Abstract - SPHERE is an engineering research project to design home and ‘wearable’ sensor technology that collects health-related information such as air quality and people’s activities. SPHERE is working towards the development of systems that provide connected healthcare and enable people to self-manage their health, providing relevant information to the person using the system, carers and healthcare providers.
This system collects a wide range of data, including heat, light, and air quality as well as quantity and quality of movement. The technology is easy to maintain, comfortable and unobtrusive. The team is also working out how to combine these streams of information so they can be understood and applied to healthcare in collaboration with clinical scientists. By establishing an individual’s baseline pattern of activity, researchers hope to detect any irregular activity which could, for example, signal a fall or stroke.

Public engagement is integral to the design of this research; the engagement team works in partnership with future end users. Using innovative and participatory methods of involvement, engagement and co-working enables our technology and research processes to be acceptable, appropriate and relevant.

Host: - Professor Bob White