Starting at the base of every societal startup. What problem are you trying to solve?

We are facing a demographic challenge in our society. The age group 80 + is estimated to increase by 30% between the years 2014-2024 and already today there is a huge lack of resources. Health care and home care services will be gradually moved out to the resident’s home and many elderly will need to stay in their homes longer. Our solution is intended to support the elderly in their homes and at the same time help strengthen the home care system.

How are you going to solve this? What is your idea?

Stella Robotics develops a digital communication platform consisting of a communication robot and services that are optimized for the elderly. The robot is intended for use by health professionals and relatives in contact with the elderly. It’s a virtual visit that works as a complement to regular physical visits. The concept has been tested in several elderly homes with good results.

What impact do you hope to have?

Our solution will help elderly to manage better on their own, to keep living in their own homes longer and avoid exclusion and isolation.

It can also assist in freeing up time and resources, both for caregivers and relatives.

Focusing more on your team. Who are you? What is your background? 

We both have 20 years experience from the telecom industry working with highly innovative products and concepts in Ericsson, Sony Ericsson and Sony. Annica Zetterlinds background is within Marketing and Communication and Åke Rydgren has been working with product management, innovation and concept studies.

Why did you become societal entrepreneurs? Or really, why do you do what you do?

We have a vision to improve people’s quality of life by utilizing technology and our long experience and know-how from developing consumer electronics.

We want to create products and services that solve real problems and we want to show the world that this can be done in an environmentally and financially sustainable way.

If you had one advice to give to other social entrepreneurs, what would it be? 

To have the right mindset is crucial for a small start up. SoPact support and challenge us in this.

They also help us to expand our network, to get in contact with the right people.

The advice? Don’t forget to also be financially sustainable. If you can’t get the business to be self-sustainable, your social impact will not be long-lived.

If I as a reader want to engage or help you reach your goals of impact. How can I do so? Is there any way to help at this stage?

We think it’s crucial to make a product that really fulfills our users’ need and lives up to their expectations. We are already cooperating with elderly people and their relatives as well as caregivers, but we need to come in contact with even more potential partners.
Right now we’re looking for elderly homes that may consider to be part of a test group. Are you interested in helping us? Contact us at hello@stellarobotics.com

 

Photo by Amanda Westin.