Norway-based No Isolation is a technology company aimed at combating loneliness. Its first two devices are aimed at seniors and children with long-term illness. AV1, its portable telepresence robot, is designed to be used in classrooms by children who can’t attend in person. It has also been used as a virtual mascot in a soccer game in the English Premier League. KOMP, its one button communications device enables family members to share messages, photos and video calls with elderly relatives.

Three insights to consider here:

- We know it’s tempting to just focus your digital innovations on the 2.5 billion global smartphone users. And of course, tailoring your smartphone apps to the needs of specific demographics will still be warmly welcomed. Witness Taobao’s senior-focused app. However, this example should remind you that there are still many demographics which are underserved by smartphones. Could you create new products and services that tailored for their needs?

- Thankfully, awareness around the full spectrum of mental health and wellbeing continues to grow. We recently featured Costa’s very low-tech, low budget table sign initiative to combat loneliness. Of course, this topic won’t be relevant to every organization, but what you can ask yourself is: what lifestyle pain points are our customers facing? And how might we help alleviate them?     

- Trends are all about new ways to serve basic human needs, here the need for human connection. Telepresence robots might not be many classrooms today, but No Isolation are tackling a huge important issue for those children. Which basic human need can you use technology to ‘solve’ in a novel way?