No Isolation creates communication tools to put an end to loneliness
by Startacus Admin
The lowdown on No Isolation, the startup that's using technology to tackle loneliness and social isolation through warm technology...
Social isolation and loneliness are prevalent issues in our society. They pile on top of people’s depression, they add to the burden of those with long-term illness, they lie in 
wait for the elderly. They can be brought about by the simplest of things, like unemployment, as well as deeper and more complex issues. Social isolation and loneliness do not discriminate against a particular age, gender, orientation, ethnicity, social class, or anything else. Social isolation and loneliness may sound like small problems, but they impact both mental and physical health, increasing the risk of stroke by 32%, the risk of heart disease by 29%, and the risk of early mortality by 26%. In the UK alone in 2016, the Red Cross found that 9 million people said they felt lonely, often or always. In a world of nearly 9 billion, no one should have to feel lonely.
Oslo-based startup No Isolation has taken on the significant undertaking of bringing about an end to social isolation and loneliness. They are starting in an area deeply personal to co-founder and CEO, Karen Dolva: ill children.
In the UK, 72,000 children are missing out on their education because of a long-term illness. No Isolation’s first product, AV1 changes that.
AV1 is a telepresence robot that acts as the child’s eyes, ears, and voice in the classroom, allowing them to learn and participate almost as fully as though they were physically present.
AV1 has different eye expressions that can be used to express confusion, sadness, and happiness, and if a confused robot isn’t enough to get the teacher’s attention, there is a ‘raise hand’ function that makes the robot’s head flash blue to let the teacher know the child has a question. Its head rotates 360 degrees, as well as up and down, so that the whole classroom can be viewed. There is also a whisper mode for the child to talk to someone nearby without disrupting the teacher. All data is encrypted so that no one else can access the video and audio between the child and robot.
No Isolation’s second product is for the elderly, and care homes in particular. KOMP is a single-dial, large-screen device designed for those who did not grow up with technology.
KOMP allows family and friends to send photos directly to their loved ones with a caption, in a similar way as you would upload to social media, keeping them involved with your life. You can send messages directly to the display and make video calls that automatically connect after a 10-second countdown. Because KOMP only has one dial for power and volume, all the user needs to do is turn it up! KOMP is continually being improved according to user feedback, and No Isolation has started to add widgets, beginning with a weather forecast.
Social isolation and loneliness are bigger issues than people tend to think, and it’s great to see another startup taking on the challenges that others leave to stagnate or worsen. We look forward to seeing what No Isolation brings out next!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Innovative startups are currently being sought by BMW Group Financial Services UK which has just launched the third instalment of its Innovation Lab
Starting a business can be a lot of hard work, so here's a few ways to avoid burnout and find a healthy work life balance.
At one-day event Ideation NI Thon, students will get the chance to solve global and local sustainability, environmental, city and health problems.
NI startup ESTHER, a peer-2-peer giving platform allowing charitable donors to give money directly to people living in poverty, head to New York for a 4-day fact finding mission.
The lowdown on how an Australian startup generated global sales for their innovative product, "weighted blankets"...
At 82% the UK takes 4th place in the list of countries being most ready for automation and robotics, whilst 30% of UK population’s jobs are at risk of automation.
The innovative game, eQuoo that helps users build their emotional fitness and thereby help fight their mental illness
The London-based femtech startup that is using AI and genetic testing to provide a tailored oral contraception service for women
Recent research by Starling bank shows that in 2019, women earned up to £12,319 less per year than their male colleagues of the same age and within the same industry
Brandtech group, You & Mr Jones, has invested in ethical video startup Good-Loop who have closed a US $1.6m seed funding round.
Published on: 9th June 2019
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Ideation NI Thon at NI Science Festival sets out to solve global issues 17th Jan 2020 At one-day event Ideation NI Thon, students will get the chance to solve global and local sustainability, environmental, city and health problems.
- NI startup ESTHER takes flight to New York 16th Jan 2020 NI startup ESTHER, a peer-2-peer giving platform allowing charitable donors to give money directly to people living in poverty, head to New York for a 4-day fact finding mission.
- 2019 stats show that the gender pay gap continues 14th Jan 2020 Recent research by Starling bank shows that in 2019, women earned up to £12,319 less per year than their male colleagues of the same age and within the same industry
- Digital DNA Awards 2020 nominations now open 13th Jan 2020 The Digital DNA Awards, held in partnership with MCS Group, celebrate the best tech talent, from companies of all sizes, excelling in the world of Digital and Tech and not just in NI...
