Join us for a focus group discusion

  • by Chennakesavalu Rajagopal
  • 03 Jul, 2022

We want to hear your views!

Affotek is working to produce non-medical wearable devices which can be used by individuals to monitor their health and CO exposure.

We have designed several styles and formats for these devices and we want to hear your thoughts about how we can make the devices as useful and easy to use as we can.

A key feature of the device is carbon monoxide monitoring, and we are working with Northern Gas Networks to develop a device to support people who are most vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are in one of these groups, we would love to hear from you:

  • Over 65 years old
  • Pregnant or have children under 3 years old
  • Have chronic heart disease
  • Have breathing difficulties.

Each focus group will last for 90 minutes and will be a guided discussion about your experience with technology, what benefits you would like to get from this technology and how you would like to use it and receive information gathered by the device.

If you are in the Pinner/Northwood Hills area between 12 - 14th July and would be willing to help, we would love to hear from you. Contact us on focus@affotek.com with your name and a phone number, for more information.

All participants selected for a focus group will receive a £20 gift card as a thank you for their time.


by Chennakesavalu Rajagopal 12 September 2022

Background for the Job :

Affotek are creating an exciting opportunity of value for people in the community, to support vulnerable people, pregnant mothers and the young; to prevent people dying prematurely and help them to lead a healthy life.

 There is a requirement for an app developer to contribute and enhance the value of this novel project by creating an App that is world class in community care. Affotek is fortunate to have enlisted an expert data scientist at Durham University to contribute on the critical issues of security aspects of the App.

 The hardware for such a system is a wearable device

 The software would be in the form of an App for Android and Smartphones.

  Sensors within the hardware detect fluctuations in vital signs such as blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate, oxygen level in the blood and pollutants. Additionally, the sensors would monitor activity and falls. Separate sensors would monitor level of pollutants such as carbon dioxide, particulate matter or organic compounds.

The elderly, pregnant mothers and the young are more vulnerable to pollutants; the wearable is aimed to support these people and those with long term illnesses that impact activity and vital signs.

Solution: The hardware would receive data from the wearer and transmit it to their mobile phones. Alarms, auditory and visual, would alert the wearer.

The App is required to analyse these data inputs and set up alert systems to the wearer, carers and emergency services. By way of example, if the wearer’s blood pressure is raised, the App would alert the wearer who could take medication or other action. If the wearer has had a fall or is inactive for a length of time, the App would alert the carer, named relative or emergency services. The App would also enable the care giver customised service such as access to information on the wearer’s absence of activity as this may indicate the wearer is in need of attention due to a fall or illness such as stroke. It would also remind wearers when the next medication is due.

The App would connect to a relative, carer or available to a medical professional and where necessary emergency services. Therefore, interoperability is crucial.

The objective is to provide core features in an App as described above, include alert systems, journal app, managements and actions. The App would provide an integrated digital solution to support people, especially the vulnerable, elderly, pregnant mothers and those with chronic illnesses living alone.

Security is crucial and the app developer has the opportunity to work with a data scientist at Durham University experienced in security of connected devices. The app developer is required to incorporate such security features developed for Affotek.

All developments would remain the property of Affotek and there is a requirement to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The App developer, in this capacity of developing the App would be responsible to Chenna Rajagopal, a medical doctor and founder of Affotek.

Place of work: The app developer should be available for introductory meeting within a week of appointment; could work from home or the establishment that employs but should be available for virtual discussions fortnightly for a period not exceeding an hour, meet customers at least three times.

Technical Implementation

There is a requirement for both android and iOS applications.

Minimum Version Requirements : The iOS app should support at least iOS 12.

Minimum Android Requirements The Android app should support at least Android 4.4 (KitKat)

Implementation Constraints as this is a new project and will be developed from scratch, there are no constraints on the software implementation technologies. The only technology requirement is that the apps must be able to integrate with the Smart Ring or a Smart Arm Band  hardware device and the various Application Programming Interfaces and components.

Salary/Funding to the extent of 40K is available for this project. Affotek is an equal opportunity employer.

Project Duration : Four months and the App developer should be available for consultations with the hardware developer.

Dates & Process : The opening date for applications is 15 September and the closing date will be 12th October. Previous work with NHS is an advantage.

In addition to the applicants details, experience, if a company, number of employees, experience in creating apps and a short description of how the applicant would approach the project would be helpful.

You will have a fulfilling experience creating and contributing to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable people. An empathy and understanding of their needs would be an advantage.

Please apply early to give us time to get to know about your experience and offer of contribution.

Evaluation Criteria : Affotek is an equal opportunity employer. Everyone is welcome to apply whether working alone or an established equal opportunity organisation. Past experience and enthusiasm to create an App that would appeal to people using a wearable would be an advantage.

Selection Process : Short listed individuals will be invited in writing for a virtual meeting with a panel.  

by Chennakesavalu Rajagopal 15 March 2022
The Innovation Showcase is made up of 15 of the most ground-breaking new products or services in the North East, and we are delighted that Affotek has been selected as one of these businesses!

Our wearable technology aspires to improve the quality of life for people living with chronic conditions, improve diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, and monitor environmental pollution and the vital signs of people living and working in risky environments.

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