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.

Emego to be showcased at the Science and Engineering Festival in Sheffield

EMEGO Marketing Assistant, Jack, is delighted to join the CATCH team (Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare) in Sheffield on Saturday March 11^th for the Science and Engineering Festival. 

You’ll be able to get a hands-on experience with Emego in the future home area, along with other exciting emerging technologies who are collaborating with CATCH. The list of other collaborators is here:

• Alzheimer’s Society
• Barnsley Hospital
• Devices for Dignity
• Lab4Living
• NIHR CLAHRC Yorkshire and Humber
• Sheffcare

We hope you can join Jack and the CATCH team on Saturday 11^th March.

For more information about this event, please contact l.murray@sheffield.ac.uk or visit the website: http://www.scienceweeksy.org.uk/event/174