Overview of the Project
A recent six-month initiative at Langvout Court, a retirement housing development in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, has showcased the advantages of smart sensor technology for both residents and housing providers.
Project Details
- The project, titled ‘Evaluating care delivery in rural settings’, was funded by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
- It was part of the Glasgow City Region (GCR) 5G Smart and Connected Places Programme.
- Collaboration involved Glasgow-based digital health innovator Archangel, Bield Housing and Care, and the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre.
Implementation of Smart Sensors
Smart sensors were installed in communal areas and ten individual units to monitor:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Motion
The data collected was transmitted to Archangel’s secure ambient assisted living platform, allowing for continuous monitoring to identify and address any issues related to tenant living conditions.
Benefits Realized
According to Gavin Wright, head of property management at Bield:
“This project exemplifies how thoughtful innovation can support older people to live independently, safely, and with dignity. We’re proud to have played a key role in a partnership that’s delivering real, positive change.”
The project resulted in:
- Annual savings of £7,670 in heating costs
- Annual savings of £2,825 in maintenance costs
- An estimated £18.5 million in annual savings across all sheltered housing developments in Scotland
Assessment and Findings
The project was evaluated by Edinburgh-based consultancy FarrPoint, which highlighted several key benefits:
- Reduced utility costs
- Lower maintenance expenses
- Fewer manual checks required
- Enhanced tenant safety
- Improved regulatory compliance
Kate Milne, an economist at FarrPoint, noted:
“This assessment showed positive benefits of intelligent sensors to residents at Langvout Court, enhancing their sense of safety and wellbeing while supporting staff in delivering timely responses.”
Future Prospects
Following the success of this pilot, Bield is considering expanding the use of this technology across its broader estate to further enhance the living conditions of its tenants.
For more information, you can refer to the original article and the Daily Record report.