Hampshire County Council "Cobots"

Hampshire County Council trials pioneering collaborative robots -'cobots' - in care settings in the UK.

12:59 02 August 2020

Hampshire County Council has partnered with global transformation consultancy PA consulting firm to trial collaborative robots in care settings. The local council is also working with Japanese robotics developer Cyberdyne to explore how the technology could help with the physical demand faced by stretched care staff. 

 

The devices, also known as cobots, are worn around the lower back to actively support wearers in moving objects and supporting people. They utilise electrodes to detect electrical signals between the wearer's brain and their muscles and convert this into motion. 

 

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Hampshire County Council Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "Through our partnership with PA consulting, we are proud to be at the forefront of using technology in care to assist people to live as independently as possible. Our trial of cobots is all about our carers-kit which supports them and makes their job easier. 

 

"While we don't yet know the extent to which cobots will help transform the delivery of care, early results are very promising, and I am increasingly confident that we will see them play an important role in supporting our care workforce both now and in the future."

 

Hampshire County Council has also recently partnered with Argenti Care Technology Partnership for its innovative technology-enabled care (TEC). The programme focuses on delivering better outcomes for vulnerable adults by mainstreaming TEC.