Faculty of Science

The Chair in Digital Economy investigates the dynamics of the digital economy and how it impacts Brisbane, Australia and the world.

Difficulties in bathing have been linked with increased safety concerns, lower quality of life, higher care costs, further disability and loss of autonomy. Implementing automated showering systems could (1) reduce the need for direct assistance from carers, improve workforce efficiency and (2) promote the dignity, privacy, and independence of older people, empowering them to maintain their personal hygiene. Automated technology has the potential to shift a carers’ main workload from being of a physical nature (doing the ‘dirty job’) to freeing time to do higher quality care tasks while the elder person is showering with the automated technology.However – the end-users of the technology (carers and older people themselves) - must see value in the process. In this project, we assess the impact of automated technology on the showering experience in residential aged care – thanks to support from Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation (ARIIA), Polish technology company Automation for Humanity is collaborating with QUT Design Lab researchers to trial their “Sit & Shower” showering device in a Southern Cross Care (NSW) aged care home in Sydney.

The Health Excellence Accelerator Lab (HEAL) in the QUT Design Lab is working with Clinical Excellence Queensland (CEQ) to bring design thinking to wicked problems across Queensland Health, with eighteen projects during 2020-2021.

RAMSR is a series of rhythmic movement activities that encourage beat synchronization and challenge one or more of the executive functions in a fun and engaging way.

The QUT-Sealy Centre for Biomechanics and Sleep Research aims to combine real-world biomechanics and sleep research into mattress creation and production. The centre is based on the collaboration between QUT's Biomechanics and Spine Research Group and leading mattress manufacturer Sealy Australia.