IntelliTable is an elegant over-bed table with robotic features to help people with mobility impairments.
Internationally acclaimed product designer Sebastian Conran is the University of Sheffield’s Designer in Residence, a role that is part of the Impact, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (IIKE) strategy and supported by the EPSRC’s Impact Acceleration Account (IAA). He works with academics and researchers to explore new ways of approaching their research questions.
As one of several ongoing collaborations around consumer and assistive robotics, the IntelliTable project led by Professor Prescott was successful in securing a £100k bid to the Technology Strategy Board (TSB). Input on design capability and commercial potential by the Designer in Residence strengthened the bid, taking development of the product to the next level.
Allied health professionals were shown a scale model and then at a later date saw an aesthetic and working full scale prototype of Intellitable. Through seeking feedback from assistive technology professional prescribers CATCH was able to present user requirements that impacted design and market considerations.