Assistive technology is important for enhancing the lives of the elderly and people with special needs, for these individuals the daily living aids provide a better quality of life and one of inclusion (particularly for an aging population).
They not only enhance mobility, coordination and strength for individuals but also greatly benefiting their physical and psychological health.
Technological advancements in assisted living aids ensure a continual improvement in the quality of life for people with restricted coordination and limited strength.
Assistive technology around the world
The global recognition of the need to provide sustainable and necessary assistive technology solutions has seen a growing trend of increased funding to assistive technologies.
Recently, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia announced a grant of $1.06 billion per annum to facilitate with growth in areas of need.
Similarly, by 2030, 17 million people with disabilities will be living in the UK and by 2033, 23% of the population will be over 65 and requiring increased support and funding. Cue the expansion of assistive living technology and products.
Uccello makes a mark in assistive technology
In January 2016 the Uccello Kettle entered into the UK assisted living technology market. The innovative, “PowerPour” Kettle literally hits this mark by safely, steadily and easily pouring boiling hot water to a fixed position.
We are delighted to announce that Drive have been granted the UK distribution rights for the Uccello PowerPour Kettle. It was launched in Australia earlier this year and is already enjoying a great level of sales, we are confident that it will prove just as popular in the UK market. Throughout 2015 our Product Management team have been focused on expanding our range of Daily Living Aids, the Uccello Kettle is an excellent new innovative addition that will certainly complement our growing range.
Alan Sullivan, Sales & Marketing Manager, Drive Medical
Uccello’s strategic move into the UK through Drive Medical is a synergy that works well for both companies. This is due to a mutual commitment and dedication to customers, by offering them the most reputable, highest quality and functional products at an excellent value and competitive pricing.
Uccello Designs Director, Jonathan Billington is very enthusiastic of the association; “We’re looking forward to working with Drive Medical and seeing our product have a positive impact in the UK market and like Drive,
“We’re looking forward to working with Drive Medical and seeing our product have a positive impact in the UK market and like Drive, Helping People on the Road Ahead.
We’re truly proud of the impact that the Uccello Kettle has had not only with the functional benefits, but that the style and aesthetic has been so enthusiastically embraced. We look forward to also helping make people’s lives easier in England too with Uccello’s elegant, assistive technology approach.”
Industry endorsements in Australia
Since entering the market, the Kettle has contributed to a sustained and improved mental and physical lifestyle for customers of the homecare industry. The industry response in Australia has been rewarding, through associations with national Independent Living Centres, Cancer Council’s “Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea” campaign
Uccello is also a Commonwealth Government endorsed supplier to health sectors including Arthritis WA, Polio WA, Multiple Sclerosis Society WA, pharmacies plus numerous aged care facilities and lifestyle villages. Leading industry suppliers ATSA (Assistive Technology Suppliers Australasia) have fully endorsed the Kettle;
(Uccello’s) innovative and highly functional electric kettle has rapidly been adopted by those in need of a safe and convenient method of dispensing hot/boiled water and is supported by other ATSA members.
Uccello Designs is a member in good standing… with ATSA and abides by the ATSA Industry Code of Practice (www.atsa.org.au). It has also been endorsed for funding by the Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans throughout Australia.
Chris Sparks, ATSA CEO
The Uccello Kettle had a powerful presence at the recent WA Occupational Therapy Association Conference and received extremely positive responses from the attendees.
With its ergonomically designed handle and pivot mechanism, the Uccello Kettle is a significant innovation on traditional kettle designs and allows those who are less capable of lifting and holding a kettle to make beverages with ease.
The collaboration of Italian design, Australian innovation, standards and patent protection, combined with British safety technology has brought both form and function to assisted living products.
Uccello Kettle born from necessity
The Uccello Kettle was conceived, when its inventor, Andy De Petra, discovered personally, the frustrating challenges that everyday tasks (like pouring a cup of tea) can bring. After being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, Andy began searching for a small, light-weight kettle that would be easy to use, but to no avail.
As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of all invention” and so Andy set about designing a new kettle with a strong focus on functionality. He envisaged a kettle on a “cradle” where, with a simple touch, it would tilt forwards to pour (from a rotating axis) to a constant point of delivery. Nothing like it existed on the market in the world. No more manoeuvring a heavy receptacle full of potentially scalding water, something even the most able-bodied find tricky.
The Uccello Kettle’s uniquely designed arc of forward motion, has now become a first-of-its-kind reality. Bearing a remarkable resemblance to a small bird, the Kettle was aptly named ‘Uccello’, which means ‘bird’ in Italian.
The patented ‘PowerPour’ technology designed by De Petra, joins the list of Australian-designed inventions that have improved safety and lifestyle for people the world over; from the stump jump field plough, mechanical sheep shears and the Hills Hoist clothesline to the more technological ultrasound, heart pacemaker and aircraft black box flight recorder.
