AI Software in Smart Glasses Wins £1m Prize to Support Dementia Care
AI software embedded in smart glasses has been awarded a £1 million prize for its potential to assist people living with dementia.
Integrated into chunky, black-rimmed frames equipped with a camera, microphone, and speakers, the technology—named CrossSense—helps users navigate daily activities through an interactive assistant called Wispy.
Wispy provides verbal prompts and floating text cues visible to the wearer, offering guidance and feedback during tasks. Additionally, it can ask questions, engage in light conversation, and support reminiscence activities.
Prize and Development Background
The software received the , an award facilitated by Challenge Works and supported by Nesta. Funded by Alzheimer’s Society and Innovate UK, the prize encourages the creation of technologies that help people with dementia maintain independence for longer periods. It is estimated that approximately 150 million individuals worldwide will be living with dementia by 2050.
Product Availability and Future Plans
Szczepan Orlins, chief executive of CrossSense Ltd, stated that the prize funds will assist in bringing the product to market. A smartphone version is planned for release by the end of this year, with the CrossSense-enabled smart glasses expected to be available in early 2027.
Orlins explained that while CrossSense Ltd develops the AI software, the hardware frames are produced by various companies. These frames can accommodate prescription lenses and are compatible with hearing aids.
“With the prize, we will be running a pilot with smart glasses in the last quarter [of 2026] for four weeks in people’s homes, which would give us enough data to know that this is ready,”
Orlins added that user information, such as the level of care required, can be input into an accompanying app. Wispy employs machine learning to adapt to individual users’ needs, including changes in their condition.
Costs and Market Strategy
The CrossSense technology is expected to be offered via a subscription costing approximately £50 per month, while the smart glasses themselves may cost up to £1,000, though prices could decrease over time. Initially, the glasses will be marketed directly to consumers, with the goal of eventual availability through the NHS.
Research and Effectiveness
Professor Julia Simner of the University of Sussex, who served as the science lead for the development team, conducted a study involving people living with dementia and their carers. Although the study has not yet undergone peer review, findings indicated that participants with dementia could correctly name only 46% of household items without the glasses. This accuracy increased to 82% when using the glasses.
“Crucially, the benefit lasted even after the glasses were removed,”
Simner noted that one hour after removing the glasses, participants still correctly identified 78% of items.
Expert Commentary and Challenges
Dr Foyzul Rahman, a cognitive decline expert at Loughborough University not involved in the project, highlighted that CrossSense’s innovation lies in providing real-time prompts and feedback during tasks, rather than simple one-off reminders.
Rahman emphasized the need for larger, carefully controlled studies or randomized trials to determine whether such devices offer meaningful benefits in everyday life. He also raised ethical considerations regarding consent, as the technology collects data from users.
He further noted challenges related to user adoption of assistive technologies, mentioning that the smart glasses’ battery life is limited to one hour, necessitating the use of a portable power bank.
User Perspective
Carole Greig, aged 70, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nearly three years ago, has tested the CrossSense-enabled glasses and expressed enthusiasm about the technology.
“For people with the condition like mine who’ve got cognitive impairment, it’s just an amazing thing,”
“How fantastic that we can be given some more independence, that we’re going to be able to cope on our own and not be a burden. And not only that, it’s not just [not] being a burden, it’s enjoying your life.”
