A UK project aimed at enabling longer, happier lives through innovation has received £5.6m in funding.
The joint investment brings together the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) with the North of Tyne Combined Authority covering Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.
It will see cutting-edge research being translated into new jobs, skills and tech start-ups in the area.
Innovations developed through the programme could include smart homes, connected devices, remote monitoring and models of health, care and support that enable older people to live independently – solutions that preserve independence, and support the challenge of getting to net zero.
The emerging market for ageing innovation is huge and it will add 2% to global GDP by 2040.
Multigenerational housing alone is likely to triple by 2040 and the numbers of people over 65 who are in work has doubled since 2001.
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne mayor said: “The UK’s population is ageing dramatically. This creates challenges but also opportunities. Our phones in our pockets are incredible and powerful tools that can help keep us fit and healthy as we age. Technology is more accessible than ever before and has the potential to do so more.
“Our region leads on digital tech so we are perfectly placed to launch this latest innovation deal. It will grow local tech businesses, support them to be ready for these emerging markets, and create new good jobs. We will be investing in products and services that make a difference, and help people to live well as they live longer.”
The innovation deal has a specific focus on the Internet of Caring Things (IoCT) which uses the latest tech to support people to maintain their independence. This phase of investment will directly benefit North of Tyne by working with 600 businesses and creating 145 new jobs.
It will work with over 1000 residents to engage them in the development of brand-new products and services.
The region which spans from the Tyne to the Scottish borders, is already home to cutting-edge research within its Universities and National Innovation Centres.
It has a rapidly growing data and digital economy; and a health, public services and life sciences sector that is large and globally recognised. Companies like P&G, onHand, Piaggio Fast Forward, BreatheHappy, GlycanAge, ConnectedLife, Solongevity and Coop Italy are already using NICA’s Ageing Intelligence approach to translate this expertise to create new products and services.
The deal builds on existing significant Government and Newcastle University investment into ageing and it will specifically accelerate the innovation and economic dividend for local and regional businesses.
Professor Nic Palmarini, director of NICA said: “Our patterns of living, working and socialising are changing and services need to catch up with that.
“The innovation deal will help achieve this by amplifying and clarifying the opportunities of the Longevity Economy – by putting people and meaningful, accessible innovation at the heart of our work so that, together with our partner CPI, we can design an informed future aligned to changing needs.
“This could be in new products that support ageing and healthy longevity ‘by design’ such as housing, intergenerational living, workplace, mobility, finance, health. The Longevity Deal will create new jobs, start-ups and scale-up businesses that benefit the region and the UK.”
