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Connecting communities through voice activated technology

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 22nd February 2023
A graphic of digital connection with a central laptop screen that shows people on a zoom call. There are also phones which show people talking, articles.

The new Amazon Alexa app designed to help alleviate loneliness in Scotland.

You might be familiar with ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland), the Scottish Government-funded digital system that enables people and professionals across the country to find and share information on services, groups and resources in their local communities. Funded by the Scottish Government and developed in collaboration with the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (The ALLIANCE). ALISS offers everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our communities, a new way to engage with the wider world, providing increased independence and autonomy.

ALISS for Alexa is the newly launched voice-activated version of the online information hub developed by fusing TL Tech’s technical ability with the rich data provided by ALISS. By using voice commands, the user can simply say, “Alexa, enable My Scottish Community” and ‘ask Alexa’ for what they would like to find with the aim of supporting those with low digital literacy or who may have a physical condition or disability, to stay connected to their communities and access the support they need when they need it most.

Until now, this information has only been accessible via an online platform, limiting access to those with digital skills and physical dexterity. ALISS for Alexa is changing the way information is shared to make it accessible for all, ensuring that everyone in Scotland has the right information, at the right time, about resources that are available to help them live well and stay connected to their community. Innovate UK and the ALLIANCE selected TL Tech as a strategic partner for this project due to the team’s experience and expertise in providing smart home solutions. Their proven approach has changed how families find information by optimising the functionality of technology that many people already have in their houses. Whether that is for convenience, comfort, energy saving, security or fun, they are changing lives. For example, home automation can ensure heating and lighting only comes on when you need it, dashboards and buttons can be configured to manage technology conveniently, and utilising voice assistance ensures technology is accessible to all, as demonstrated with the ALISS for Alexa application.

Working in the third sector, you know that social care is bursting at the seams. With fewer resources and more demand, now is the time to consider ways to offer services more efficiently without compromising on the quality of the advice given – the perfect opportunity to give ALISS a voice. ALISS for Alexa demonstrates the effectiveness of this technology and is proof of concept to others who seek to develop inclusive services. It’s exciting to consider that our possibilities are limited only by our imagination of how we might ingrate voice technology into our daily lives, and it’s reassuring to know that TL Tech Ltd has the knowledge and experience to make these dreams a reality.

An Alexa with a speech bubble coming from it saying: "Alexa, enable my Scottish Community. Behind is a larger speech bubble with a search function reading ALISS and ALISS helps me to find things to do in my local community

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