This Phase 1 project will deliver a feasibility study for the design and development of an accessible CO alarm. It will act as a primer for a Phase 2 project which will focus on the actual development of an accessible CO alarm product.
In particular, the project will conduct a desktop research on the current state of carbon monoxide alarms in the market, how the needs of vulnerable populations are currently addressed and to what extent, it will engage with end users and stakeholders in order to elicit the functional requirements and characteristics of an accessible CO alarm, and will analyse and evaluate collected data towards establishing the business case for developing the product and putting it in the market.
Benefits
The success criteria for the project to develop a verbal voice CO alarm for vulnerable populations include:
- IoT Feasibility: Demonstration of the technical feasibility of integrating IoT technology into CO alarms, ensuring seamless functionality and compatibility.
- User-Centric Design: Positive feedback from stakeholders, particularly individuals with visual or cognitive impairments, indicating that the design recommendations effectively address their needs and preferences.
- Accessibility Compliance: Verification that the developed accessibility module for CO alarms meets established accessibility standards and guidelines, ensuring accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities.
- Risk Mitigation: Identification and mitigation of potential technical risks associated with IoT implementation, ensuring smooth project execution, and minimizing disruptions.
- Comprehensive Report: Compilation of comprehensive findings, recommendations, and insights into a well-structured report, serving as a valuable resource for informing decision-making and guiding future project phases.
- Stakeholder Satisfaction: High levels of stakeholder satisfaction with the project outcomes, indicating that the developed accessibility module effectively addresses their concerns and enhances safety for vulnerable communities.
- Effective Collaboration: Positive feedback from collaborative partners, including Bournemouth University, Policy Connect, and other stakeholders, indicating effective collaboration and knowledge-sharing throughout the project.
- Adherence to Timeline and Budget: Completion of project deliverables within the specified timeline and budget, demonstrating effective project management and resource allocation.
- Impact on Vulnerable Communities: Measurable improvements in safety and accessibility for vulnerable communities, as evidenced by reduced incidents of CO exposure and increased awareness and understanding of CO alarms.
Learnings
Outcomes
Performance Improvement:
The project demonstrated a significant potential performance improvement over traditional beeping alarms. The verbal voice feature ensured that users, particularly those with hearing or cognitive impairments, could quickly understand and respond to CO alerts. The integration of IoT technology allowed for real-time monitoring, reporting and alerts, further enhancing the response capabilities.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Advancement:
As a result of this project, the TRL of the verbal voice CO alarm advanced from TRL1 to TRL3. This progression indicates that the technology has moved from conceptualisation and now ready for development to a stage where it can be validated and tested in a controlled environment and is ready for further development and larger-scale testing.
Future Opportunities:
The project identified several opportunities for future development and learning. One key area is the refinement of IoT features to enhance connectivity and user interaction further. Expanding user trials to include a more diverse demographic can provide additional insights and improve the product's inclusivity.
Lessons Learnt
One significant insight was the importance of comprehensive stakeholder engagement. By involving end-users and relevant organisations from the outset, the project ensured that the final product was tailored to the specific needs and preferences of those it intended to serve.
This approach not only improved the design and functionality of the CO alarm but also garnered valuable feedback that can guide future projects. Additionally, the integration of IoT technology proved to be highly beneficial, potentially enhancing the alarm’s functionality and providing real-time alerts and remote monitoring capabilities. This success of the theory suggests that further exploration and trailing of IoT features could advance the product to higher Technology Readiness Levels faster.
The research, development, and demonstration undertaken were effective and provided a strong foundation for future projects. Continued collaboration with stakeholders, iterative testing, and leveraging IoT advancements will be crucial in moving similar methods to the next TRL.
