Global Community Resourcing co-designs for ‘real-world needs’

Global Community Resourcing has finalised outcomes from the Regional Futures Living Lab for Innovation and Community Care in Queensland.

Through the use of a codesign framework, the two-year project captured everyday challenges and translated them into practical, human-centered technology reporting some significant outcomes for the island communities in the Redlands region.

Supported by the Advanced Queensland Program, the project has a range of partners and is being delivered in the Redlands including on-island communities.

Global Community Resourcing’s Anne Livingstone told Pulse+IT, “The project commenced its codesign activities with Swinburne University Future Self Living Lab with local residents (concentrating specifically on vulnerable individuals) during the post-cyclone emergency period so this was a very unique time.

“Local residents tested technologies to meet the situations and conditions existing in the islands. A codesign method was used that was originally developed with support of the Digital Health CRC and the then Age Care Industry Technology Council.”

The initiative is co-designing approaches with local communities incorporating leading-edge technologies in new and novel ways including social robots to support employment, be companions and assist in daily activities. A social robot can soothe the stress of interactions, encourage conversation and boost social engagement.

Ms Livingstone said research partners, Swinburne University of Technology, Queensland University of Technology, and University of Queensland, and service providers, Endeavour Foundation, Micah Projects Inc, and Hub68, and special interest groups, the National Aged and Community Care Roundtable for Forgotten Australians, and the Community Care Smart Assistance Technology Collaborative worked collaboratively on this project to bring about community designed, user-centred solutions to uniquely remote problems.

Supported by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Logan & Redlands and underpinned by funding and support from the Queensland Government Advance Queensland Program, the project had an economic development focus regarding future workforces and opportunities for smart technology developments and deployments at scale.

Ms Livingstone said results are being finalised along with a range of new research and deployment projects aimed to support aged care reforms and higher quality service supports, underpinned by proven and evidence-based technologies.

“A range of technology providers were involved in the project and are working with Global Community Resourcing on new research and deployment undertakings.”