An innovative, AI wayfinding app is among the semi-finalists for a prestigious dementia prize.

Dorothy, Care City and TPXimpact have been named as semi-finalists in the Longitude Prize on Dementia for the development of an augmented reality platform which places a virtual ‘yellow brick road’ within community spaces such as shops.

As well as being a semi-finalist, the innovators have been awarded one of 24 Discovery Award grants worth £80k as part of the £4 million Longitude Prize on Dementia.

The Longitude Prize on Dementia is funded by Alzheimer’s Society and Innovate UK, and delivered by Challenge Works.

Matt Skinner, chief executive, Care City, said: “We are thrilled to have won an award to build on the Dorothy App prototype. Expanding the scope of this technology for use in a variety of environments will allow us to grow the Dorothy community and help more people living with dementia to regain some of their independence and confidence.”

David Robson, lead service designer at TPXimpact, said: “Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges of our time, which is why we are proud to be supporting Care City and Dorothy in testing if Dorothy can help people live more independently. This disease affects such a wide range of people, and through working together to create this innovative, forward thinking solution, we can take an important step in improving the lives, experiences and outcomes of those living with dementia.” 

Kate Lee, chief executive, Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s vital people with dementia are able to live independently, doing things that bring them fulfilment, for as long as possible. And that’s exactly what tech innovation can provide. Today’s Discovery Award winners all have the capacity to develop cutting-edge tools that bring hope to the here and now, making a tangible difference to people’s lives. New drugs have been discovered which slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease, but there’s still more to do.  Alzheimer’s Society remains committed to innovative projects like the Longitude Prize so that together we can improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families.”