Human and robot hand connecting

From digital health and telemedicine to robotics and virtual reality our research is helping design, develop, evaluate and implement innovative technologies and approaches to provide solutions to the health and care challenges of the 21st century.

Robotics and artificial intelligence

At the University, we are investigating the development and use of humanoid and companion robots, and other digital devices, such as voice activated assistants, to transform the provision of health and care, from assistive living and health monitoring to cognitive training and social engagement. Enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning these technologies are able to interact with and respond to people, adapting to their behaviour, emotions and needs to better support their health and wellbeing.
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Child and robot
VR glasses worn by senior man. He adjusts the content shown before his eyes by pushing buttons on the side of the device.

Virtual and immersive reality 

The University of Plymouth has strong capabilities in the development and application of virtual, augmented and immersive reality technologies, with their use in health and care a particular strength, from design and software development to implementation and clinician / patient / public experience of using such technologies.
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mHealth and Telehealth

Our research and innovation on the design, development, evaluation and application of online and mobile digital technologies, products, services and digitally enabled approaches across health, care and wellbeing. From remote monitoring of health conditions and patient self-care management to supporting lifestyle behaviour change and managing appointments we work with NHS, care organisations, businesses and patient groups to deliver digital innovations of relevance to the needs of clinicians, patients and public.
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  • Neurocore
  • TELMeD 
  • eHealth and technology
  • Interactive Systems Studio
PUPSMD clinical neuroscience E-Health / cognitive assessment. iphone. smartphone
Young nurse measuring blood pressure of elderly woman at home. Female nurse checking blood pressure of a senior woman at home, home carer checking patients blood pressure

Evaluation and health policy 

From evaluation of technology usability and efficacy to healthcare systems, policy implementation and health economics we work with NHS, health and care providers, businesses, patients / end users and research organisations to facilitate the development, validation and adoption of health technology innovations
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Technology implementation and behaviour change 

Research at the University of Plymouth into behaviour change and the implementation of technology is central to the successful design, development, validation and adoption of health technologies, from human-computer interaction and patient experience to imagery, motivation and understanding barriers to adoption. Our strengths in this area are reflected in the training of our students in the healthcare professions to be digital health champions.
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Young physician wearing white coat explaining senior patients how to use mobile application in order to control heart rate while having consultation at office
Big data and artificial intelligence concept. Machine learning and cyber mind domination concept in form of women face outline outline with circuit board and binary data flow on blue background.

Cybersecurity, big data and health informatics

The University’s Centre for Cyber Security Communications and Network Research and Big Data and Medical Statistics teams’ are actively engaged in a range of health technology related projects and initiatives. From development and evaluation of medical information systems, health network cybersecurity and healthcare software to health data analysis and interpretation, including medical imaging and use of machine learning to analyse clinical patient data for decision-making and diagnosis.
Academic expertise:
Professor Nathan Clarke, Dr Marco Palomino, Professor Emmanuel Ifeachor, Dr Stavros Shiaeles, Professor Ray Jones, Professor Siobhan Creanor, Dr Giovanni Masala, Dr Rana Moyeed
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Assistive music technology

The University is a pioneer in the development of Brain-Computer Music Interfaces (BCMI) to enable people with severe motor-impairment to make music by means of brain signals. We are championing the development innovative intelligent systems that can monitor affective state, and induce specific affective states through music, automatically and adaptively. We are harnessing Artificial Intelligence to adapt and personalise live radio, by seamlessly remixing live digital broadcast, with the aim of transforming life for people living alone with dementia. Listeners will receive personalised reminders, information and music according to monitored behaviour and real-time physiological measurements.
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Brain cap - research by Eduardo Miranda. Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR)