Tidal
Swansea Bay University Health Board
- Focus:
- User Centred Design
Understanding the Challenge
The World Health Organisation estimates that over 2.5 billion people worldwide need some form of Assistive Technology (AT), from spectacles to screen-readers. This number is expected to rise dramatically due to an ageing global population and an increase in lifestyle diseases.
A significant issue attached to the use of AT is premature abandonment, with reports estimating that users prematurely dispose of up to 70% of AT. As the usage of AT increases, addressing this problem becomes crucial for both user experience and reducing waste.
Project Overview
The Tidal project, a collaboration between PDR and the Rehabilitation Engineering Unit at Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB), addresses two main challenges in AT design: meeting user needs and enhancing sustainability. Funded by the TIDAL Network+ with £47,000, the project leverages digital design and 3D printing to improve AT design and usability.
Dr Jonathan Howard, a clinical scientist at SBUHB, undertook groundbreaking research involving end-users in the customisation of AT devices for better fit and function. He found that this co-design approach substantially boosts user satisfaction and reduces abandonment.
The TIDAL project aims to scale up production of these customised devices without requiring significant investments in equipment or staff training.
Research and Discovery
We kicked off the project, with a series of workshops with clinical scientists, rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other health professionals across South Wales. Our aim was to understand the current AT system, identify the information and support needed by health professionals, and incorporate their invaluable expertise into the AT co-design process.
Insights and Learnings
After these insightful workshops, we analysed the data to guide our solution development. We discovered that timescale is crucial - devices must be produced quickly to keep up with the needs of people with degenerative conditions, which can change rapidly - imagine the frustration of waiting for a device that arrives too late to be useful!
It was also clear that device aesthetic is of crucial importance. No one wants to use an unattractive device, and many are abandoned simply because they don't look or feel right.
Digital Solutions
Building on these findings, we developed a mock-up of a user-friendly visual interface for personalising AT devices. Health practitioners and users could browse a database of designs, adjust them using sliders or measurements, and preview realistic 3D models. This ensures everyone would have a clear understanding of the device's appearance before it’s even manufactured, making the process smoother and more engaging.
Design and Innovation
We then set out to transform the aesthetics and modularity of AT devices, to make them not only functional but also visually appealing. By using environmentally friendly bioplastics and advanced 3D printing techniques, we envisioned how devices could be created in contemporary colours that users would be proud to use, offering a complete departure from hospital blues and greys.
Our modular components could be designed for easy repair and adaptation, ensuring that as your needs change, your device can change with you. No more discarding devices due to minor issues - simply swap out a component and continue using it.
We also focused on the user experience beyond the device itself. Our packaging, made from recycled materials, would include QR codes for quick access to product information and feedback. This means you could easily find out how to use and care for your device, as well as share your feedback with your healthcare practitioner to help improve future designs.
What’s Next
The TIDAL project successfully generated a concept for a reimagined AT design and production service. This is just the first step, with PDR and SBUHB now collaborating with experts in artificial intelligence and blockchain data security to develop proposals that will realise the potential identified through the pilot project. Our aim is to develop technical capabilities that can be scaled to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and AT users across the UK NHS and beyond.
“Through working with PDR, we have further explored the challenges faced by healthcare professionals working across different NHS services in AT provision and design. It has helped make sure our solutions are grounded in real-world clinical problems. Working with the expertise across PDR has been great to explore different solutions and generate new concepts for expanding on the initial research.”
Dr Jonathan Howard
You can read more about the project journey and the groundbreaking research behind it by exploring the links below:
Medical collaboration showcases PDR’s strengths in research and product design
A ‘tidal’ wave of enthusiasm for better, greener assistive tech | PDR News
Co-designing assistive technology: supporting wellbeing and reducing waste| PDR News
