Title: Transformative Innovation in the Delivery of Assisted Living products and services (TIDAL)
Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Abstract: TIDAL Mapping (WS1). Guided by our consultations with partners we will carry out a series of short focused projects. The first two will focus on the regulatory landscape for AT post-Brexit and will review successful translation of EPSRC-funded research into AT products and services. Three further short projects, focused on key barriers and enablers will be developed by the Network. TIDAL community development (WS2) will establish the Network and maintain inclusive engagement. A major activity will be running the Annual Symposia and Doctoral Colloquium, with the first focussed on Responsible Engineering. TIDAL Research (WS3). We fund up to eight research projects of up to £65k (aiming for 2 per theme) to interdisciplinary teams who have an excellent research hypothesis for solving a clear unmet need. There will be three steps of development: 1) an agenda setting workshop 2) targeted calls and a team building workshop (i.e. mini sandpit); 3) review and select proposals for funding. All research projects will have a business mentor and we will also support industry placements (2 months maximum) for academics, and encourage industry-funded placements into academia. Guided by initial consultations with partners we will begin the Network+ with three themes. 1) Responsible Engineering 2) Sensors and Data Science for Communication Aids 3) Design & Digital Manufacturing Systems (DMS) & Physical Devices. An additional theme will be added as TIDAL N+ grows. WS4: Network Education & Dissemination (WS4) : The TIDAL project is led by Holloway, who co-leads the £19.8million AT2030 Programme (www.at2030.org) and the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) Academic Research Centre. These initiatives already have excellent networks for communication and dissemination and TIDAL will take advantage of these. Specific activities will include the development of policy notes based on the work in WS1-3, engagement with local innovators, colleges and schools through hackathons and GDI Hub Live events themed to TIDAL N+.

Lay abstract: List the main objectives of the proposed research in order of priority (4000 characters) The need for Assistive Technologies (AT) is massive, largely unmet and rising uncontrollably and it is estimated by 2050 the number of people needing AT will have doubled from 1 billion to 2 billion. Only 10% of AT need is currently met and it is unclear how many individuals have AT that is well matched to their needs . Engineering and physical sciences research in AT has led to some major advances, but the cost of current devices remains too high and delivery of services frequently requires physical access to scarce, centralised, facilities, expert knowledge and skills. A problem of this scale cannot be solved by simply increasing the volume of current activity, rather it requires a coordinated focusing of research, user, clinician and industry efforts into transformative methods that can address the problems currently limiting the value of the AT to the user. The UK plays an increasingly important role in AT globally. For example, the EPSRC funded CDT in Prosthetics & Orthotics is a global first for the sector; the AT2030 programme (www.at2030.org) led by GDI Hub has positioned the UK as a leader in the WHO Gate initiative, has mapped the technical and market challenges for AT globally and is trialling innovations (TRL 6-8). This growth is reflected in a growing EPSRC Healthcare Technologies portfolio in AT, Rehabilitation and Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (ATRMB); but represents only 0.73% of the overall EPSRC portfolio. There is an opportunity to expand further given the growing international AT market which the UK can continue to lead - this market is estimated to be worth £110bn in China, and in the UK, is expected to grow from £2.5 billion to £6 billion by 2025. Despite the volume of AT research, serious challenges remain in getting the right AT to the right people and supporting the individual to continue to use these technologies over the long term, without interruption, thereby addressing the disconnect between the high-end research and the daily reality of many people in need of fit-for-purpose AT. Digitally enabled, processes, products and services alongside powerful data-driven solutions offer an opportunity to transform AT and services into empowering scalable solutions which can be used to transform the daily reality of AT users and open up access to AT to more of those who need it . TIDAL will develop an international Network with the UK at its centre which brings together designers, ergonomists, engineers, AI experts and physical scientists, AT users, clinical practitioners, commissioners, business development and innovation experts, entrepreneurs and manufacturers to drive problem understanding, identify new research challenges and co-create novel, innovative solutions. The focus will be on coordinating, inspiring and supporting underpinning research leading to the development of technologies and services that harness advances in design, digital manufacturing and data analysis techniques to create innovative, sustainable and equitable physical and digital AT. To address the problems outlined above, the objectives for TIDAL are: 1. To map the innovation landscape, including analysis of barriers and drivers, case studies of success and EPSRC portfolio mapping. 2. To develop and sustain the TIDAL community, driving best practice in inclusive network design wherever possible 3. To initiate small research projects and industry exchanges in community-agreed focus areas, focusing in the first instance on responsible engineering, sensors and data science, and digital manufacturing. 4. To disseminate the results of the network activities and develop a sustainable plan for TIDAL beyond the end of the network.

Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE