Fighting Loneliness with Warm Technology

Photo: Estera K. Johnsrud

​No Isolation was founded in 2015 with a mission to combat loneliness and social isolation through innovative, warm technology and knowledge. Being rebels with a cause, creating technology for good, they recently moved into Rebel to continue their important work.

No Isolation has two main products: AV1 and Komp. AV1 is a communication device for children and young adults unable to physically be in the classroom for periods of time. It helps them stay connected to their classmates and teachers, so they don't miss out on a single class. Komp, on the other hand, is a computer with just one button, making video calls and photo sharing easy for seniors to stay in touch with their families.

​AV1: A Communication Robot for Kids

Photo: Estera K. Johnsrud

AV1 is a telepresence robot stationed on the desk of the student who for various reasons cannot be present in the classroom. From home, hospital, or even another room at school, the student participates in class through the AV1 app. The AV1 robot, which sits on the students desk, is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker. The students can use an app to access its video, audio, and communication features.

– The child is present in the classroom through an avatar that acts as a digital proxy, By turning the AV1 robot, the students can view every corner of the classroom and participate in the lesson by raising their hand to ask or answer questions, says Anna Holm Heide, co-founder of No Isolation.

Initially, AV1 was developed as an offer for children who were hospitalized due to serious illness, but over time, No Isolation realized it had more uses. Today, AV1 is also used as a proxy for children with other other diagnoses, such as social anxiety and autism spectrum disorders, who may not always be able to attend school.

​Komp: A One-button Computer for Seniors

Photo: Estera K. Johnsrud

– Komp was developed in collaboration with the Norwegian Cancer Society for elderly, analog people to make it easier for them to communicate with their family. Operating Komp is super easy. All settings are made via a button that can be rotated to raise and lower the volume, similar to the buttons found on old radios. There is no touch-screen, which older fingertips can often struggle with, says Anna Holm Heide.

A surprising finding is that many seniors, who might have an understanding of modern technology still are excluded from using it. According to No Isolation's research in the UK, 5.6 million seniors have difficulty using modern touch-screens. Nearly 2 million of these have thick skin or dry skin, where the lack of moisture makes the screen non-responsive to their touch. This can already apply from the age of 60. Around 3 million have other physical barriers that prevent them from using the screen. 2 million are limited by subjective cognitive decline.

– This shows that modern touch technology is not as inclusive as we like to think, says Anna Holm Heide.

With the Komp companion app, family members, grandchildren, and old friends can send photos, messages, and initiate video calls directly to the person viewing the screen on Komp.

Moving in to Rebel SOP5

In early January, No Isolation moved into their new offices at the recently renovated Rebel SOP5, right across the street from Rebel U2.

No Isolation is not only creating cool products that make a difference in the world. They also do research on social isolation and loneliness and collaborate with others to share learnings. They aim to shed light on the problem of loneliness and how warm technology can make a positive impact. Their focus on sharing is a perfect match for Rebel.

– We love to share knowledge, and Rebel's focus on knowledge sharing was one of the main reasons we chose to log in here. At the same time, we noticed that we were working differently after covid. We are 30 employees in Oslo, and everyone comes to the office at least one day a week. On a normal day, we have about 18 working from the office. Although we moved from a larger office space, it does not feel like downsizing. Rebel gives us the flexibility we want,' says Anna Holm Heide.

Rebel Share #8

On February 7th at 11:30, No Isolation are hosting their first Rebel Share event at Rebel. They have invited Thomas Hansen, a researcher at FHI and NOVA, to share his insights on the effects of efforts to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Thomas Hansen has been working as a quality of life researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's division for mental health and suicide since 2020, while also having a part-time position at NOVA/OsloMet where he has researched various aspects of psychological aging.

The event is free and open to all rebels. Read more about it here.