Innovation in Social Housing!
At Waterstons, we think a lot about the future of social housing! Waterstons Innovation: The Dots #7
This week we had a workshop with one of our social housing clients. It was fun, and a great chance to explore the art-of-the-possible in the sector! Throughout the process of preparing and giving the workshop, we gained an even better appreciation of how technology will help social housing tenants have a better experience. This week, Karina (one of our business consultants) talks about some of the innovations she is most excited about in the sector.
What is this? This is The Dots, our newsletter about exciting things we find in the world of innovation. We imagine innovation as connecting the dots; putting together a jigsaw. Our puzzle pieces are the pieces of interesting information we absorb in the world, our partners and their products. Innovation happens when we connect these pieces in new and interesting ways. This newsletter is about these dots we find and connect.
Innovations in social housing!
In recent years, social housing groups have invested heavily in the construction of new homes to tackle the housing crisis, and this is perhaps where we have started to see innovation creep into the sector. For example, the installation of heat pumps and sensors in the homes (we have previous posts about our efforts to use sensors to make social housing properties safer - check it out here!)
Whilst the sector has a reputation for lacking innovation, we are now seeing pockets of change where organisations are recognising that it is through innovation that they will tackle some of the key challenges they face. This is not just in maintaining and managing properties, but also enhancing the customer experience, both of which will support sustainable homes, communities and neighbourhoods.
5 Amazing Projects Happening in Social Housing:Â
Innovative thinking encourages collaboration across teams, exploring new technologies, and generating potential creative solutions to address some of these challenges, and ultimately will improve the overall customer experience! As the speed of technological and digital change continues to increase, organisations want to seek innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by their customers, staff, and stakeholders. Here are some of the most exciting innovations we have recently seen:
Virtual Diagnostic Repairs - StreemÂ
This is an augmented reality video calling solution allows Maintenance Technicians and Trade operatives to be virtually present in a customer's home. This will allow them to see their issues in real-time using video and diagnose a repair without having to step foot inside a customer's home.Â
Temperature-controlled homes - University of Salford
The University of Salford has created a block of newly built homes with a temperature-controlled chamber called Energy House 2.0.Â
Within Energy House 2.0 there are two environmental chambers each able to accommodate two detached houses and under controlled conditions, recreate a wide variety of weather conditions with temperatures ranging between -20ËšC to +40ËšC and simulated wind, rain, snow, and solar radiation.Â
This unique facility will play a key role in accelerating the progress towards low carbon and net zero housing design. Â
Drone technology for digital stock condition surveys - SpotrÂ
The Spotr platform for housing associations utilizes street view, satellite, aerial, and open data sources to create a comprehensive visual profile of all properties. Â
The drone scans both the interior and exterior of the property, making it easy to see which areas need maintenance.Â
IoT Pipe Monitoring System - M2M Cloud for Scottish WaterÂ
The Pipe monitoring system automatically collects information on the temperature and flow of water in Scottish Water buildings. Any unusual readings could highlight harmful bacteria outbreaks such as legionella.Â
The device fits onto the surface of pipes to remotely take temperature readings, notifying building managers if the water system is out of specification. Â
Pepper the Robot - Bristol Robotics LabÂ
Pepper the Robot helps autistic pupils with regulating their emotions, and take part in social activities.Â
The Bristol Robotics lab, based in the University West of England, helped to develop the technology using pupils' and teachers' input to decide how it would best support students in need.Â
Pepper the Robot is not currently used in social housing, however, it is a piece of technology that could support tenants with assistance needs in the future.Â
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Click here to watch it
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