IRT Showcases First Driverless Car for Aged Care

IRT Group has launched a revolutionary new driverless car at the 2017 Information Technology in Aged Care (ITAC) Conference held on the Gold Coast. Designed for use in residential aged care communities, the ‘Pod Zero’ is an innovation IRT hopes will improve residents’ independence and quality of life.

The product of a world-first partnership with UK-based technology firm RDM Autonomous, the Pod Zero will be programmed to safely navigate private roads within IRT Communities. Residents will be able to hail the Pod Zero and travel independently to appointments and social activities within their Community.

“IRT Kangara Waters’ residents in Canberra will be the first to experience this new technology in early 2018,” says John Vohradsky, IRT Group Head of IT & Business Excellence.

“They’ve been trained how to hail the Pod Zero via an app on their phone or tablet, and are really excited to be selected for the two to three month pilot.

“Depending on the outcomes of the pilot, we may look to trial more driverless cars or make them a part of the service and experience offering at IRT Communities,” he said.

In addition to launching the Pod Zero, IRT won a national ITAC Award at the conference. The ‘Best solution that provides ongoing consumer independence’ Award was in recognition of IRT’s unique Care Cohort system.

Created in collaboration with a software developer, Care Cohort integrates a range of online tools into one customer-facing platform, accessed via a tablet or other Wi-Fi enabled device.

“Care Cohort is easy to use and has been readily adopted by residents during the pilot program at IRT Peakhurst,” said Mr Vohradsky. “Residents of all ages, including those who had never used technology before, found the Care Cohort increased their independence and control over their day to day lives.”

Both the Pod Zero and Care Cohort are innovations designed in line with IRT Group’s mission to create communities where seniors achieve their optimum quality of life.

Find out more about IRT Group.