UK Government announce investment in technology for mental health
The UK Government has announced, through Innovate UK (the UK’s national innovation agency), that £3.6 million will be invested in next-generation digital therapeutics for people living with moderate to severe mental health conditions.
The funding will be shared by 17 businesses across the UK, all of whom will be developing and trialling technologies over the next 12 to 18 months that are potentially scalable for widespread impact.
Dr Cynthia Bullock, Director of Healthy Lives at Innovate UK, says:
“These research and development projects are designed to improve the impairment, disability and distress experienced by individuals at any stage of life across the UK. By supporting these innovations, Innovate UK is unlocking solutions with the power to drive business growth and maximise both social and economic impact.”
One of the technologies to receive funding is CrossSense’s smart glasses, which use AI to reduce memory loss from illnesses like depression, anxiety and psychosis. The glasses recognise items in the person’s environment and offer advice on an app that they are connected to.
The UK Government say of these smart glasses:
“Technology led by CrossSense helps to reframe negative thoughts while offering step-by-step instructions for carrying out daily tasks, such as keeping vulnerable users safe from harm with prompts like advice to stay away from boiling water on the hob. It adapts to the wearer’s needs over time and helps to prevent cognitive decline, including dementia, so complex mental health conditions are not an unnecessary barrier to fulfilled and independent lives.”
Find out more from UK Research and Innovation here: https://www.ukri.org/news/innovate-uk-invests-in-digital-solutions-for-mental-health/
Read more from the UK Government here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/smart-glasses-and-ai-filter-apps-among-new-tech-to-transform-the-mental-health-of-millions
Find out more about CrossSense here: https://crosssense.com