RoomMate 2.0 – the multi-sensor that's always on duty

RoomMate 2.0 is the next-generation, always-on multi-sensor, newly developed with support for cutting-edge AI technology to meet the needs of dementia and elderly care.

The demographic challenges facing the UK, with a sharp increase in the number of elderly and people living with dementia and a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, formed the backdrop for the establishment of RoomMate back in 2011. The vision then was to develop the safety sensor of the future. The first RoomMate sensors were installed in a local care home in Welhavens gate 5 in Oslo in 2016, and in 2021 RoomMate became part of the care technology company Sensio.

– In May 2023, RoomMate number 10,000 was installed, and as a result of a sharp increase in demand, sensor number 20,000 was installed last fall. Most of the sensors are now used in care homes, but we expect significant growth in the installation and use of sensors in home care services in the future, says Jon Slorer (pictured), Product Director at Sensio.

Most RoomMate sensors are used in care homes and home care services in Norway and in care homes in Sweden, but UK, Denmark, France and Germany have also started to take notice of this multi-sensor.

Read more: RoomMate receive the «Made in Norway» label

What is RoomMate?

RoomMate is primarily used in elderly and dementia care. The primary function of this sensor is digital supervision where the alarm is triggered when the sensor, for example, recognises that a resident falls, is active in the room, gets out of bed or is too long in bed. RoomMate is then used to transmit images or sound to allow care staff to determine whether the resident needs physical assistance. Via the Sensio Insight e-health solution, data from the sensor can contribute to better decision support for personalised care. RoomMate is integrated into Sensio 365, a modern, cloud-based healthcare platform that brings together all care technology in one place.

It has been documented that RoomMate gives major benefits in dementia and elderly care compared to traditional nurse call systems. Some of the benefits of this sensor-based supervision are increased safety and security, a reduction in the number of falls and faster help for residents, as well as a simpler and more efficient working day for care teams. RoomMate has also been called «the night shift's best friend», because digital supervision at night provides more efficient care with fewer interruptions and a better night's sleep for residents.

RoomMate 2.0 – an advanced multi-sensor

In August last year, the RoomMate team marked the production of the last copy of the first edition of RoomMate – number 18,650. «What started with one screw has now ended with screw number 466,250», was the anecdote sent out internally at Sensio.

– The production of RoomMate 2.0 has been underway for quite some time now, and it has been thoroughly tested by several customers – including customers in the UK. Now RoomMate 2.0 is the only sensor being installed and used by all new customers. At the same time, it is important to emphasise that the first edition of RoomMate is still of top quality and is useful in many care homes and home care in both Norway and Sweden, says Jon Slorer at Sensio.

RoomMate 2.0 contains groundbreaking technology and is the next generation multi-sensor.

– RoomMate 2.0 is developed by us and sets a new standard in the industry. With the new powerful AI processor and a unique combination of laser technology and high-resolution 3D information, it provides fast and accurate analysis and is optimised for the future demands of elderly care, says Sensio's Product Director.

RoomMate 2.0 has a wide opening angle and long range, enabling it to cover large areas. The sensor covers an area of 50 square meters in all lighting conditions, and can detect a fall of up to eight meters even in total darkness. The 12 infrared LEDs on the previous RoomMate sensor have now been replaced with one laser LED. RoomMate 2.0 also has a two-way speech and listening function with good listening quality, as well as low power consumption.

Digital supervision on a PC screen with RoomMate 2.0.

World-class care technology

Product Director Slorer at Sensio is now looking forward to more local authorities in the Nordics and the UK, and even more countries, opening their eyes to the RoomMate sensor, digital supervision and the «digital first» work method. «Digital first» means that digital supervision is the first choice in elderly care, that you go from active to passive alerts and that the work method is introduced in entire local authorities or in all rooms in a care home.

– Norwegian care technology is world-class! RoomMate is at the very top, and is a very safe and future-oriented choice for local authorities and care homes in several countries. We couldn't have created this sensor without the unique experience that we have built up together with our customers, concludes Jon Slorer.