Decision details

The use of robotic assistants in social care has potential which deserves exploration and this will project will ensure the work is underpinned by academic rigour and by access to the latest thinking. UWE is a centre of excellence with respect to Robotics and the scheme offers to enrich the care offered to vulnerable adults and older people but is not seeking to replace human contact

Agreement to work in partnership over the next two years with the University of the West of England, the Designability Charity and user groups to build understanding of the use of robotics in a range of care settings and with different service areas including learning disability dementia and autism.

There are other Universities that are interested in robotics but UWE is a well-known centre of excellence based in the city with a dedicated robotics laboratory which includes an adapted flat for testing the latest technologies. The University has approached the Council over recent months proactively and is keen to work with us and service user groups thereby offering the chance to build knowledge and insight alongside genuine input from vulnerable adults and older people. For this reason UWE is the preferred option. Designability also has specific knowledge and insight and is a partner to the University anyway.