With more and more of us living to a very old age, there’s an increasing need for new ways in which our elderly population can live safely and independently in their own homes. Bristol-based startup Simpalarm has paved the way for this by designing an innovative and unobtrusive activity-monitoring device for the home (pictured right), which could help to revolutionise independent living for the elderly and vulnerable adults.
“Simpalarm plugs into a power socket and unobtrusively monitors activity, such as movement, door opening and visitor arrivals using sensors”
Keen to find out more, we caught up with James Savage, Director at Simpalarm, to get the low-down on the device and where it could be headed in the near future…
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TechSPARK: What is Simpalarm and how does it work?
James: Simpalarm is a new consumer electronics product designed to support independent living for older people. It plugs into and secures to a power socket and unobtrusively monitors activity, such as movement, door opening and visitor arrivals using sensors, without the intrusion of any camera or microphone.
Simpalarm communicates information using the mobile networks, so it doesn’t require a home phone line or broadband connection.
Putting loved-ones minds at ease: The Simpalarm interface
showing regular activity levels in the home
TS: How did you come up with the idea?
James: Simpalarm was originally conceived as a security device for apartments, tenants in rented accommodation, domestic outbuildings and small commercial premises.
Soon after the initial prototype was finished, we identified the alternative application as an activity monitor to support independent living for older people, and that has since been the focus for our initial product.
“Our early customers will be able to add to their existing device using additional hardware components or software updates”
TS: What have been your biggest successes with Simpalarm?
James: Simpalarm is a previous winner of the Cambridge Wireless ‘Discovering Start-Ups’ competition in London. We have been selected as one of 20 potential companies to receive intensive support and mentoring through the Digital Catapult’s Internet of Things Boost programme. We’ve also just won ‘Best Product’ at the EDGE Awards 2016.
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TS: What’s next for Simpalarm?
James: Without giving too much away, we are working on the development of additional hardware and software to improve and add value to our initial product. Simpalarm is a modular system, so our early customers will be able to add to their existing device using additional hardware components or software updates.
A modular design: One of the benefits of Simpalarm is that
it’s easy to upgrade with additional components and software updates
TS: Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start a tech project themselves in the region?
James: Get online and find out about the many networking events that are constantly taking place in the area using Eventbrite and Meetup. Sign up to the excellent newsletters from the likes of TechSPARK and Engine Shed.
“The South West is a great place to start and grow a tech venture… the start-up community is very self-supporting”
We also recommend you follow BusyChief for funding news. Start lean but be ready to build a team by sharing equity. Be prepared for a roller-coaster ride of emotions (and that’s just pre-revenue!).
TS: What do you think about the Bristol and Bath tech scene?
James: In our experience, the South West is a great place to start and grow a tech venture. During our membership at SETsquared, we learnt that the start-up community is very self-supporting. People have freely given their time to help us get over hurdles and that can make the difference between keeping going and giving up when you are boot-strapping your venture.
TS: Are you/have you been involved with any tech events in the region and are there any you would recommend?
James: We have previously exhibited in the Innovation Showcase at Venturefest and pitched to the Duke of York at the regional selection event for Pitch at the Palace. Both of those led to conversations with potential investors and boosted our public profile.
TS: Are there any tech companies in the Bristol and Bath area that you are particularly impressed with?
There are a number of tech companies in the region that are doing revolutionary things. Companies that are using technology to increase efficiency, like Signable, or even create whole new marketplaces, like Bibshot.
TS: Can people get involved with what you do? How?
James: We are always keen to hear from people who are interested in what we are doing and, if you’ve got skills that we need, we would like to hear from you.
Many thanks to James for taking the time to chat to us about Simpalarm. Want to get involved? Get in touch via the Simpalarm contact page. You can also stay up-to-date with Simpalarm’s progress by following them on Twitter: @simpalarm.
