Trinity Start-Up Secures Funding for AI-Powered Voice Assistant for Mobility ConditionsTrinity Start-Up Secures Funding for AI-Powered Voice Assistant for Mobility Conditions A Trinity College Dublin-based start-up, Amethyst Care, has received over €500,000 in funding through the Enterprise Ireland Commercialization Fund program. The start-up aims to enhance the lives of individuals with mobility-related conditions by utilizing AI to promote independent living. Addressing Cognitive Decline and Mobility Challenges Led by Prof. Vinny Wade, the team will develop a voice assistant powered by AI capable of detecting early signs of cognitive decline and intervening promptly to mitigate or delay symptoms. The assistant will monitor vital signs, provide medication reminders, and notify family members or emergency services in case of emergencies. Additionally, it will offer tools for memory enhancement and mental stimulation. Meeting the Growing Demand The start-up addresses the increasing prevalence of mobility disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and early-onset dementia. Globally, the number of individuals with dementia is projected to reach 150 million by 2050. Innovative AI Solution Amethyst Care will combine advanced generative AI techniques with personalization technology to create a voice-enabled companion that assists seniors in living comfortably at home or in care facilities. The voice-based assistant will provide continuous support, companionship, and voice assistance. Enterprise Ireland Support Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund supports research translation into viable products and businesses. Rebecca McManus, the start-up’s entrepreneur and commercial director, expressed their gratitude for the funding, stating that it will enable them to expand their team and prepare for commercialization within 18 months.
A start-up company based in TO ADJUSTthe Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Artificial Intelligence at Trinity College Dublin has secured over €500,000 in funding through the Enterprise Ireland commercialization fund program.
The start-up, which has a project name of Amethyst careaims to improve the lives of people with mobility-related conditions by using AI to help them live independently at home for longer.
Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund supports higher education researchers in translating their research into innovative and commercially viable products, services and businesses.
Directed by Prof. Vinny WadeHead of Artificial Intelligence at Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics and former Director of ADAPT, the team aims to develop an AI-powered voice assistant that can detect early signs of cognitive decline and intervene early to delay or alleviate symptoms of cognitive disease.
The assistant is expected to continuously monitor vital signs and detect abnormalities, provide reminders for medications, appointments and daily tasks, provide real-time notifications to family members and emergency services in case of falls or accidents, and provide tools for memory enhancement and mental stimulation.
“The start-up will combine innovative, advanced generative AI techniques with personalisation technology to deliver a voice-enabled companion that helps older people live more easily at home or in a care home,” said Prof Wade.
“GenAI’s voice-based assistant provides continuous care support and a daily level of companionship and voice assistance.”
The team is responding to the global increase in mobility disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and early-onset dementia, which have doubled in the past 30 years.
Worldwide, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase from about 60 million now to 150 million in 2050.
A start-up aiming to develop an AI voice assistant for people with mobility-related conditions has received more than €500,000 from Enterprise Ireland.
Rebecca McManusentrepreneur and commercial director of the start-up, said: “Our aim is to address the key issues facing patients, carers and the healthcare system, including loneliness, medication management, cognitive decline, carer stress and healthcare professional shortages.
“This funding from Enterprise Ireland will significantly advance our efforts, allowing us to expand our team and prepare for full commercialisation in the next 18 months.”
Photo: (l-r) Rebecca McManus and Vinny Wade. (Photo: Supplied)
