Five Longitude Prize on Dementia finalists include AI glasses and sensors that predict falls

State of the art AI glasses to help people with dementia navigate their environment and a smartwatch that learns daily routines are among five ground-breaking technologies awarded £300,000 as a finalist in the £4.4 million Longitude Prize on Dementia. 

The Longitude Prize on Dementia is funded by the Society and Innovate UK and is delivered by Challenge Works. The prize is driving the creation of AI-based assistive technologies that can help people living with dementia maintain their independence for longer. 

The five finalists will share £1.5m to develop their solutions in pursuit of the £1m first prize to be awarded in 2026. 

Five dementia innovation finalists

The five finalists announced today will each receive £300,000 to develop their technologies in the next 15 months. The finalists are:

• High-tech glasses that help users recognise objects and people – the technology helps people living with dementia to recognise objects and people and remember what to say or do to improve memory recall. This will help them to carry out daily activities independently, such as making a cup of tea or greeting a loved one. The glasses, which also work with existing prescriptions, aim to delay the progression of memory loss and use synaesthesia - associating senses such as sights and sounds (CrossSense, Animorph, UK). 
• Football pitch sensor technology applied to predict and prevent falls – existing ‘fall’ technology can only inform caregivers once an accident has happened, this ground-breaking update will use the technology that maps how a football moves on a pitch (Ultra Wideband) to establish when falls are likely to happen and ultimately prevent them. This tech, in the form of a smartwatch designed for older people, could anticipate slips at certain points in a daily routine (eg before bed) or in certain locations (eg the bathroom). By detecting and calculating fall risk, the tech could limit risk of hospital admission which can speed dementia symptom progression (Theora 360, Clairvoyant Networks, Inc, USA). 
• A smartwatch-based app to provide guidance on daily routines – this AI software processes data from a smartwatch and sensors around the home to learn about its users’ activities and gently guide them on their routines, reminding them of actions they may have forgotten through personalised cues such as illustrations (eg an open fridge or running tap), text, audio and vibrations. If they are not responsive, it will alert a carer. The software will become more intensive as a person’s dementia progresses, helping them to stay in their own home andcommunity for longer (AUTONOMOUS, Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research, Portugal).
• At-home monitoring-box that protects privacy – when a loved one is in the early stages of dementia and is still able to live independently, family members can sometimes worry about their wellbeing. This ‘sensor’ box and automated messaging system scans rooms to help remotely inform family members of the loved one’s wellbeing via Whatsapp or text message (eg your mum is up and about and the heating came on at the usual time this morning). This provides reassurance for both family member and user, but unlike existing monitoring technology, doesn’t use cameras or wearables, connecting caregivers without infringing on privacy (Supersense Technologies, UK).
• Home assistance device resembling a traditional telephone – this familiar-looking device offers a screen for video calls which can also display personalised reminders of daily activities. The phone connects users to a reassuring voice-recording of their choice that shares prompts on daily activities and displays images of items in that person’s house. It also makes video-calling loved ones as easy as picking up the phone, to empower people living with dementia to do things they love that bring meaning (MemoryAid, The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Australia). 
   

Exciting opportunities with AI

Kate Lee, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society said: "Currently, around one million people in the UK live with dementia, a figure projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. 

AI presents exciting opportunities to help those with dementia stay active and independent, enabling them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. 

"By harnessing the power of technology, we can support memory recall and assist individuals in maintaining their daily routines. The five finalists of the Longitude Prize on Dementia are tackling these challenges in innovative and diverse ways. I look forward to seeing how their technologies evolve over the next year." 

Dr Jennifer Bute was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2009 at the age of 63, leading to her retiring early from her career as a GP. She adds: “Research suggests that remaining independent, whether in your own home or a place where extra help is available, is one of the best contributors to slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease."

As a daily user of technology to help manage my finances, medications – even my home lighting – it’s really encouraging to see the breadth of new tools and services being developed to support independent living.

In addition to the financial reward, non-financial support has been funded to provide innovators with crucial insight and expertise until the end of 2025. The support includes access to potential product users, mentorship, and expert advice on technical and business aspects of the innovation to ensure products are scalable.

It will also facilitate knowledge sharing between participants. All teams will be working with people with lived experience to ensure solutions are fully co-created. In early 2026, one winner will receive a prize pot of £1 million.