A pair of smart glasses, powered by an AI assistant named Wispy, has secured a £1 million award for its potential to support people living with dementia. The technology, called CrossSense, won the Longitude Prize on Dementia, an award managed by Challenge Works with backing from Nesta, the Alzheimer’s Society, and Innovate UK.

The system integrates into chunky frames equipped with a camera, microphone, and speakers. Wispy acts as a conversational guide, providing verbal cues and floating text to help with daily tasks, spark conversation, and aid memory. A pilot program in people's homes is scheduled for late 2026.

Szczepan Orlins, CEO of CrossSense Ltd, said the prize accelerates their path to market. A smartphone version launches later this year, with the full smart glasses expected in early 2027. The glasses work with prescription lenses and hearing aids. The projected cost is around £50 monthly for the software, with glasses priced up to £1,000, though the company hopes for NHS availability eventually.

Early research, though not yet peer-reviewed, showed promise. In a University of Sussex study, participants with dementia correctly identified 46% of household items unaided. Using the glasses, accuracy jumped to 82%, with benefits persisting after removal. "An hour after taking the glasses off the figure was 78%," said Prof. Julia Simner, the science lead.

Experts like Dr. Foyzul Rahman of Loughborough University call the real-time task guidance a breakthrough but note challenges: battery life is currently one hour, and larger trials are needed to confirm real-world benefits and address data ethics.

For early tester Carole Greig, 70, who has Alzheimer's, the impact is tangible. "It’s just an amazing thing," she said. "How fantastic that we can be given some more independence... it’s enjoying your life."

Source: The Guardian