CleverCogs

To address such issues, Blackwood has created its most ambitious and innovative product to date. CleverCogs is Blackwood’s digital platform. Its purpose is to keep people independent, in control and in their home. At the heart of CleverCogs is the touch screen home hub. It enables people to stay in touch with friends and family, including video chatting with them. They can catch up on their interests, access information they want to see and receive convenient reminders of any appointments, care visits or medication they need to take. It also enables Blackwood to build bespoke care and response around the individual, taking into account both formal and informal care needs.

The system works across all aspects of an individual’s care, housing and support needs. Currently the system ‘cogs’ feature Care, Safety, Housing, Home Automation, Information, Digital Inclusion as well as Health & Wellbeing.

An essential part of CleverCogs’ success is recognising that everyone learns in different ways and at different speeds. We’ve always been conscious of the fact that for many of our customers this will be their first time using any kind of computer. On the other hand, we also have customers who are much more expert than we are because they have always realised the power of digital for helping them find solutions at home. For this reason, we tailor training sessions to a level that is comfortable for each individual – and encourage people to help each other.

We personalise each and every CleverCogs device, so regardless of whether a customer is into gardening, history, music, football or anything else, they can have easy access to things they will enjoy. The boost in confidence people get from using CleverCogs can be huge, we can then open up their horizons to a whole new world – this includes things like browsing the web, doing online shopping, using email as well as connecting with family and friends. Customers then have an abundance of choice when shopping, getting news, learning and everything else the internet can offer.

The use of Blackwood’s bespoke ‘CleverCogs’ system allows users to control the many automated functions of the home via a tablet, voice activation or autonomous actions, such as scheduling the blinds to open automatically each morning. It also allows the customer to be linked to the wider neighbourhood, including care and service providers, and to the digital universe through fixed and mobile devices. This minimises the disruption to everyday tasks that disabilities can bring and is one of the key features of the house in maximising independent living.

CleverCogs is a personalised system and service that allows you to live independently in your own home or in a homely setting – the touch screen home hub links to care, housing and lifestyle planning tools including communication, safety, health, and home automation.

CleverCogs promotes digital inclusion and is backed up by Blackwood staff, your family & friends, local community as well as first responders and primary care.

David’s CleverCogs is a wholly personalised system which is designed around his needs and aspirations. The system develops with David giving him the choice to explore more if his condition, circumstances or interests change.

Each “cog” gives David the tools and support to enable him to live as independently as he chooses.