Global health innovations
Technology has the potential to unlock more equitable health outcomes for everyone. We lead programmes that use health innovations to teach our students, to treat patients and prevent future illness.
We look at the interactions between people and technology to work at the forefront of people centred innovation.
Wearable technology for COVID-19 treatment
When people are seriously ill with COVID-19, doctors need to know about any changes in their condition as fast as possible. Middlesex has been working on ‘wearable technology’ that shows doctors what’s going on in a patient’s lungs in real time – without the need to sedate them. It can help predict any sudden deterioration in lung ventilation, helping doctors to act fast and save lives.
The research is an extension of the major CRADL project we coordinated in 2016, which involved a wearable imaging system – a kind of belt made of electrodes – to monitor premature babies’ lungs. It’s being repurposed in a larger size for adults.
If tests are successful, the system can be manufactured in high numbers at low cost. We hope it will become the standard tool for giving doctors vital images of COVID-19 patients’ lungs.
Dubai Centre for Innovation in Human experience
A pioneering Centre for Innovation in Human Experience (CIHx) opened at our international campus in Dubai in 2019. The first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, the centre aims to drive forward research and development, using innovative technologies to solve real-world problems in business and society.
CIHx includes three specially designed labs. The Insights X Lab is a data science hub; the RoboTechX Lab develops robots and internet connected devices; while the Immersive VRX Lab advances immersive virtual reality technology. Each one is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources.
University academics, experts and professionals in data science, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, and human centred design will have the opportunity to collaborate at the centre, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Students will benefit from being involved in research, design and development, as the centre prepares the next generation of industry-ready IT professionals and entrepreneurs.
Developing robot-assisted healthcare for older people
We believe social robotics have an essential role in caring for older people and addressing the challenges of an ageing population and workforce shortages.
We played a leading role in a collaboration to create the world’s first culturally competent robots to assist with the care of older people. We were responsible for the development of cultural content and guidelines for CARESSES, a three-year project to develop and evaluate these artificially intelligent autonomous robots. Our work enabled the robots to respond to the culture-specific needs and preferences of older people from diverse backgrounds who need support and care.
Supporting health and social care workers to work with robots
We are collaborating with five European universities on a Transcultural Robotic Nursing curriculum model, learning and training materials to empower health and social care workers, students and educators globally to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence, while addressing difficult medical and nursing challenges and societal barriers towards the adoption of such technologies in health and social care.
Your thoughts on health innovations
What innovative tech has the most potential for health?