Project Hydra Aims
The project aims to:
- Move non-core data end-to-end over the smart meter network to demonstrate the provision of new value-added service to smart meter stakeholders.
- Allow patients to send their weight and blood pressure results directly from their home to their clinician, and receive feedback to help them manage their condition.
- Implement new telehealth standards for moving data from ZigBee wireless weighing scales and blood pressure cuffs through the smart meter wireless home area network (HAN) to health enterprise servers.
- Demonstrate the feasibility of reusing security technologies from the financial services industry in smart meters – to provide the necessary security, privacy and software management
Named after the mythical beast with multiple heads, Project Hydra will:
- Develop smart meters (or devices that connect to smart meters) to utilise the smart meter communications channel for telehealth.
- Develop truly open-architecture standards that will allow telehealth devices from many suppliers to interoperate and new services with end-to-end connectivity to be added on demand.
- Explore the use of the universal smart meter wireless communications network to allow people to be located while preserving their privacy.
The Hydra platform will decrease the need for patients to visit a medical professional as they will be able to submit regular health information from the comfort of their home. Regular monitoring and more frequent data transfer will not only avoid the cost and inconvenience of hospital or house visits, but also actually improve the quality of healthcare provided.