L5G partners announce new funding

DefProc Engineering, a partner in Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care, has been awarded funding from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency to develop  SmUPS, a Smart Uninterruptible Power Supply, which is a brand-new product that will provide multi-hour backup power for virtual wards, telehealth and telecare devices deployed in patients’ homes. 
There is an emerging need for this kind of device, which was highlighted by project partners Docobo during the Liverpool 5G Create project. In 2025, there will be an analogue telephone (PSTN) switch-off, and all connections will become digital. Unlike digital, the analogue connection is powered separately from the household supply. After the switch-off, telehealth and telecare devices will lose connection in the event of a local power cut. As the cost of living increases, self-rationing and self-disconnection of electricity are also becoming significant issues due to fuel poverty. Around 1 in 5 people with prepayment meters self-ration every week. For those with telecare and telehealth devices in their homes, SmUPS will provide backup power to maintain internet connectivity and allow these vital services to remain functional. 
Congratulations to DefProc for attracting the funding to develop this very necessary product, and we look forward to hearing how the development work goes!