The Centre for Health Technology, via its European Regional Development Funded project, EPIC (eHealth and Productivity in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) led by Professor Ray Jones, has been working with the robotics company Akara since 2017. Based in Ireland, Akara, has emerged from more than a decade of research in artificial intelligence, cutting-edge robotics, applied microbiology and user-centred design.
Our relationship with Akara was born from the collaborative efforts of Conor Mc Ginn, Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin and CEO of Akara, and the EPIC project (Professor Ray Jones & Dr Hannah Bradwell). Our strong connections with Akara are now such that, together, we can bring the latest advancements in robotics to trial in the UK, often for the very first time.
Akara started as a spin-out from Trinity College Dublin, Conor’s host institution, where he and his colleagues identified the need for robots within healthcare. In healthcare settings, for example, staff-time is a limited and expensive resource. Freeing up nurses, doctors or radiologists to perform their central duties, could save the NHS millions and improve quality of care.