We are partnering with start-up Tendertec on a £1.8m project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the Healthy Ageing Challenge, to encourage sustainable physical activity for under-represented groups currently not engaging with the digital fitness market.
The support service, known as FitBees, will combine Tendertec’s connected care platform, Hestia, home sensors and wearable technologies with motivational encouragement and community connections to support activity.
Other partners in the project include KYMIRA, a company producing patented smart garments, the Community Housing Group and the University of the West of England.
The funding will be used to support the development of FitBees and has a strong user-centred design process to ensure that Fitbees meets the needs of its customers. Hft is working with 15 people it supports who will try the technology, and provide feedback and suggestions to learn what works and what doesn’t.
“People with learning disabilities often struggle to access mainstream online platforms,” says Emma Nichols, Personalised Technology Manager at Hft. “There is a need for more platforms like FitBees that are easy to use and provide people with learning disabilities with the same opportunities as everyone else. We are really excited to be part of such an innovative and inclusive project where the people we support are playing a central role in the development Fitbees.”
Dr Afroditi Konidari, CEO and Co-Founder at Tendertec, adds: “We are honoured to be leading a consortium of partners that have the skills, experience and dedication to help under-represented groups overcome challenges to becoming more physically active. In the post-pandemic era, we need to find new ways to support people aged 55+, especially those feeling marginalised, to become and remain physically active and socially connected. We are working closely with our consortium to bring a game-changing product into the digital fitness market.”
The funding is part of the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge supporting the delivery of market innovations within the growing healthy ageing domain.
- Register to receive the project newsletter & stay up to date
- Follow the project on Twitter: @GetFitBees
