IN BUSINESS Driver monitoring device under trial
ADARESBURY start-up has launched a search for 500 drivers aged 65 and over for a research project aimed at helping elderly motorists to stay on the road safely for longer.
Satsafe said its Telematicam system can detect unusual changes in driving patterns that could indicate conditions such as deteriorations in eyesight or reaction times.
The device combines black box technology and dash cameras with big data analysis.
Satsafe said other applications include being used to prove a driver had been driving safely following an accident and below the speed limit.
It can also alert family and the emergency services that an incident has occurred and where.
A Sci-Tech Daresbury spokeswoman said Driver And Vehicle Licensing Agency figures show that more than 4.5m of the UK’s 39m licence holders are aged over 70 and the number of motorists aged 90 or above has topped 100,000 for the first time.
She said tiny sensors in the Telematicam provide information on acceleration, braking and cornering forces as well harsh braking at junctions, which can be an early indicator of failing eyesight.
A notification can be sent to family members if their relative is encountering difficulties that are potentially putting themselves and others at risk, or in worse cases, has been involved in an accident.
The topic is one close to Satsafe chief executive Stuart Millward’s heart as he spotted when his own father was showing early stages of dementia but he and his family welcomed the technology telling him when his father had gone out and arrived safely.
He moved the business to Sci-Tech to develop a protoype for his device following business incubator finance from the European Space Agency two years ago.
Satsafe’s relocation to Sci-Tech Daresbury also coincided with its winning bid to become the lead consortium member for the road safety work package in CityVerve, the UK’s £10m ‘smart city’ project in Manchester working with Manchester City Council, Transport For Greater Manchester and technology giants including Cisco, BT and Ordnance Survey.
Stuart Millward, Satsafe chief executive, said: “Maintaining our independence and mobility for as long as possible is important to so many of us, but safety can be a concern for all involved.
“We are really looking forward to working with our volunteers, to trial our technology and help us develop additional features that will provide real benefit and peace of mind to themselves and family members.
“Ultimately we want to enable people to stay mobile for as long as possible, while it is safe for them to do so.”
He added: “The key here is early intervention – notifying families when a parent’s driving habits have changed, which may just indicate that an eye test is needed, could save lives, but can also provide reassurance if there is concern about the onset of dementia, which could impair driving ability.”
Professor Susan Smith, head of Daresbury Laboratory, said: “In its recently announced Industrial Strategy White Paper, the Government reconfirmed its commitment to harnessing the power of innovation to help meet the needs of an ageing society, and to help our older citizens lead independent fulfilled lives.
“I can’t think of a more fitting example of this than what Satsafe is doing right now, and I’m thrilled that they are doing it right here at Sci-Tech Daresbury.”
Motorists in the North West who are aged 65 or over and who would like to volunteer to take part in a trial of the Telematicam should email info@satsafe.com