CATCH and Sheffield Robotics celebrate UK Robotics Week with Talks and Demonstrations

As part of UK Robotics Week, CATCH was proud to hold events in conjunction with Sheffield Robotics including talks and two Open Labs.

Professor Tony Prescott, Director of Sheffield Robotics kicked off an hour of talks. After a brief introduction to the centre, he shared the current developments in robotics and how the use of industrial robots in manufacturing around the world has grown. Although many people are disappointed that the reality of robots is somewhat different to what we see on the big screen, over the last six years since Sheffield Robotics launched, it has become clearer how we can use robotics more to overcome challenges such as an ageing population.

This theme led seamlessly onto the next slot and a talk by CATCH Professor Luc de Witte entitled "Robots in Care: Science Fiction or Reality?" He shared that it's not science fiction and that the potential for sensible applications of robots in care is enormous. Examples of robots currently used in care are Paro, Zora and even telecare robots. 

The talks were concluded by Sebastian Conran who founded Consequential Robotics and is the Designer in Residence here at the University of Sheffield. Sebastian took a different angle, discussing how emotional engagement is so important when designing robots. Two innovations of the company are Intellitable and MiRo.

Following the talks, both the Robot Foundry at Sheffield Robotics and the CATCH Home Lab opened their doors for the afternoon. At the Robot Foundry, Sheffield Robotics researchers were on hand to discuss the latest robotics research and give demonstrations. Visitors discovered how the centre is using robots to learn about the amazing abilities of bees and humans; how collaborative robots could take dreary and dangerous work out of manufacturing; and how they are working to build real-life transforming robots.

The CATCH Home Lab also showcased demonstrations of robots linked with speech technology such as MiRo and Pepper (image above).

For more information on our work in the field of robotics, please contact Simon Butler.

Sustainable care network announced to identify solutions to UK social care crisis

A new research project led by academics at the University of Sheffield will examine potential sustainable solutions to the ongoing crisis within the UK’s social care system.

With an ageing population, shortages of staff in home and residential care, and growing reliance on unpaid carers, the question of how to resource and deliver social care is a critical issue facing society today.

Prof Luc de Witte facilitates assistive technology workshops in Bangalore

Last week, CATCH Professor Luc de Witte facilitated two workshops in Bangalore.

Mutually organised by CATCH, Zuyd University and BMS College of Engineering, the first of the two workshops was on the theme of Assistive Technology and Autonomous Systems.

UK Robotics Week @The University of Sheffield

As part of UK Robotics Week, Sheffield Robotics and CATCH will be hosting open labs on Monday 26th June.

Come and explore robotics research at the University of Sheffield, and how robots could impact on our everyday lives. 

CATCH receives congratulations from Pro-Vice Chancellor Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health

CATCH were delighted this month to receive congratulations from the Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, Professor Dame Pam Shaw.

CATCH played a key role in consortia that won two prestigious funding calls and has also had papers published in a high impact journal.

UK Robotics Week @The University of Sheffield

As part of UK Robotics Week, Sheffield Robotics and CATCH will be hosting open labs on Monday 26th June.

Come and explore robotics research at the University of Sheffield, and how robots could impact on our everyday lives. Meet Pepper, a state of the art humanoid robot (pictured above), and find out how it could help:

• stroke survivors to do their physio exercises
• people to stay more independent in their own home by assisting with routine tasks

CATCH proud to be part of the Foreign Office’s #GlobalBritain campaign

CATCH is delighted to be one of five institutions from the UK to be part of the Foreign Office’s Global Britain campaign.

New publication explores how nursing home residents with dementia respond to the interactive art installation ‘VENSTER’

A paper, co-authored by CATCH Professor Luc de Witte entitled: “How nursing home residents with dementia respond to the interactive art installation ‘VENSTER’: a pilot study” has been published.

World Health Organisation releases global priority research agenda for assistive technology

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently published the global priority research agenda for improving access to high-quality affordable assistive technology.

Representing the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) as the largest professional assistive technology organisation in the region, CATCH’s Professor Luc de Witte was part of the core group who drafted this brief which can be downloaded here.

In the paper, it is outlined what the WHO did to create priorities and promote research and innovation in this vital area. Through this activity, the group identified five global priority research thematic areas as essential to improving access to high quality, affordable assistive technology:

1. Effects, costs and economic impact of assistive technology.
2. Assistive technology policies, systems, service provision models and best practices.
3. High-quality and affordable assistive technology.
4. Human resources for the assistive technology sector.
5. Standards and methodologies for the assessment of assistive technology need and unmet need.

They also propose two guiding principles for any assistive technology-related research activities:

1. User involvement in all aspects of research, especially on policy and service provision.
2. Work from a social and environmental model of disability and participation.

You can download and read the full document here.

For more information on how CATCH’s activities align with this research agenda, please contact Laura Murray.

CATCH “Showcase of Future Healthcare” event draws the crowds

CATCH set up their living room of the future in the Winter Garden, Sheffield last Saturday to showcase to the general public what the future of healthcare might look like.

Part of the Sheffield Festival of Science and Engineering and co-organised with the Public Engagement team at the University of Sheffield, the event attracted more than 1,000 people throughout the day.

Seven CATCH collaborators (see logos below) joined the event with exhibition stands demonstrating healthcare technologies. Partners Sheffield Robotics and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences were also in attendance Children were given the opportunity to learn about future technology by visiting each partner, experiencing the technology first hand and getting answers to six questions. 100 children took part. 

Pepper robot, the latest recruit to the CATCH team was a big pull for children and adults alike who were impressed by the humanoid’s range of movement and interaction skills. Other technology on display on the day included Emego, an EMG switch which senses muscle activity as well as CIRCA, an interactive reminiscence and conversation aid.

Fresh from the great success of his Inaugural Lecture the previous night, Professor Luc de Witte addressed the audience for two pop-up talks about the role of technology in future healthcare.

It was great to have the opportunity to meet so many people interested in our technology and share how CATCH is working to help people to live well and age well.

We’d like to take this opportunity to say a special thanks to the Public Engagement team at the University, notably Nicola Strafford, Public Engagement Manager for her great work in helping us to make this event a huge success.

If you would like to find out more about CATCH’s exciting research and future events, please contact Laura Murray.

Hundreds gather at Professor Luc de Witte’s Inaugural Lecture to discover “Technology: who cares?!”

More than 200 guests joined Professor Luc de Witte last Friday in the iconic Diamond Building for his Inaugural Lecture: “Technology; who cares?!”

The event celebrated the arrival of Prof. de Witte as one of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health’s “big-hitters” where he shared how technology can, and will, play a major role in future health and care around the world.

Prof. Dame Pamela Shaw, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health at the University of Sheffield introduced the lecture. Prof. Dame Shaw seamlessly linked Luc’s lecture to the Care 2050 development and the approaches that CATCH, ScHARR and the wider University may take.

Having joined CATCH in October 2016, Luc is already working to put Sheffield at the heart of innovation and reiterated his belief that Sheffield has all the assets to become a key player here in healthcare during this lecture.

Luc received a great response from the audience when he addressed what assistive technology (AT) really is. “How many of you are wearing glasses?” he quipped to realisation around the room that AT doesn’t have to be high tech. In a fascinating statistic shared from the World Health Organisation however, only 10-15% of those in need have access to AT.

Part of the Sheffield Festival of Science and Engineering, Professor de Witte’s lecture attracted members of the public, partners and colleagues from across Europe as well as University of Sheffield staff and collaborators.

It’s safe to say that Prof. de Witte’s Inaugural Lecture was very well received and the buzz that it had generated was clear at the reception that followed.

We’d like to take this opportunity to say a special thanks to the Public Engagement team at the University, notably Nicola Strafford, Public Engagement Manager as well as Kathryn Rooney, Personal Assistant to the Dean of ScHARR for their tireless efforts that contributed heavily to the success of this event.

If you would like to find out more about Professor Luc de Witte’s research or are interested in collaborating with CATCH, please contact Laura Murray.

New book published: Robotic Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice

A new book: Robotic Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice has been published and CATCH's very own Prof Luc de Witte contributed to one of the chapters.

Published by CRC Press on 31st January 2017, this book is edited by Pedro Encarnação, Albert Cook.

This book contains a comprehensive overview of all current uses of robots in rehabilitation. The underlying principles in each application are provided. The book also includes a critical review of the technology available, of the utilisation protocols, and of user studies, outcomes, and clinical evidence, if existing. Ethical and social implications of robot use are also discussed. The reader will have an in depth view of rehabilitation robots, from principles to practice.

Hardback and eBook versions of the text can be purchased here.

Technology: who cares?! events - less than three weeks away!

Technology: who cares?! Two exciting events from CATCH, taking place as part of the Sheffield Festival of Science & Engineering, are less than three weeks away.

We're excited to introduce our event collaborators - download the poster here.

Join us at 5.15pm on Friday 10th March for Professor Luc de Witte’s ScHARR Inaugural Lecture entitled “Technology, who cares?!” at the Diamond building, University of Sheffield. Booking is required - book your place here.

On Saturday 11th March from 10am - 3pm, bring all the family and visit us in the Sheffield Winter Garden to experience our "living room of the future" and meet our collaborators:

• Alzheimer's Society

• GSPK Design

• Barnsley Hospital

• Devices for Dignity

• Lab4Living

• NIHR CLAHRC Yorkshire and Humber

• Sheffcare

For more information about this event, visit the #SFOSE website or contact Laura Murray. No booking required.

Please share this news story with your networks and print the poster for display on your notice boards. Thanks!

Prof Luc de Witte delivers a lecture as part of ScHARR seminar series

Prof Luc de Witte, CATCH Professor and renowned name in the field of technology and innovative healthcare, was the guest of the last ScHARR seminar series on Tuesday 14th February.

Luc delivered a fascinating talk entitled “Health in Slums: Challenges and potential solutions” to a packed audience. This talk aimed to give more insight into the challenging living conditions of the slums’ communities and to discuss potentials solutions to reduce the burden of ill health due to these conditions. Luc also discussed the current projects running as part of the Health in Slums programme, and some of the future plans for ScHARR and CATCH.

The seminar was attended by many ScHARR staff and students from different sections and has instigated some interesting discussions about the topic.

Luc will return for a public talk on Friday 10th March 2017 for his Inaugural Lecture entitled "Technology; who cares?!" in The Diamond as part of the Sheffield Festival of Science and Engineering. Booking is required - please secure your place here.

For more information on ScHARR seminar series, please click here or contact Sarah Abdi.