Due to the double aging, the Netherlands will have significantly more elderly in need of care and fewer available healthcare workers in the long term. The number of people with a chronic condition is also increasing. Healthcare is already under strain, and if nothing changes, the shortage of people and resources will become even greater. The central question that SARA Robotics started with in 2019 perfectly aligns with this: how can technology take on care tasks and increase capacity in healthcare?
Robot combined with home system
SARA is a social assistant (robot + platform) that takes work off the hands of professional caregivers in long-term care. She is more than a gadget with a funny face. Thanks to the advanced SARA home system, SARA always knows who she is with and can provide tailored care. If a resident likes classical music, SARA can play songs from that genre for them. Family members can send photos and messages that SARA then shows. The system also considers the resident's limitations, which can be entered into the home system. At night, SARA can guide wandering residents back to bed. And during the day, SARA promotes physical activity with residents. These are care tasks that currently require people, but in a sector already short on staff, relief in these areas is essential. SARA provides this, allowing staff to focus more on providing even better care.
Appropriate entertainment
Since 2019, SARA has been working with healthcare institutions to develop the software platform that can be integrated into the care process. The deployment of the care robot took off when SARA decided to alleviate the suffering in nursing homes during the pandemic. At 125 care locations, SARA worked to enhance the well-being of residents and reduce the pressure on healthcare workers. As a social assistant, SARA took over tasks by providing appropriate entertainment, simple instructions, and personal attention.
SARA goes on a sleepover
After the pilot during the first corona period - which could take place thanks to subsidies - SARA Robotics took the first cautious steps into the market. "Under the motto 'SARA goes to stay,' we learned a lot at the time, but the periods of deployment were always relatively short. Then, fourteen institutions actively started working with SARA through contracts for a year. This allowed us to deploy the robot structurally. It also became clear what we needed to adjust in internal processes," says Maartje Claassen, CEO of SARA Robotics.
In June 2021, SARA Robotics received an investment from Rabobank and BOM. With that money, the company further developed the robot together with caregivers, such as with speech recognition.
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SARA is becoming increasingly intelligent
SARA is continually developing further. The system can alert for restless behavior or if someone enters a prohibited area. Thus, SARA is becoming smarter in recognizing situations. The concept is now proven, and SARA Robotics is working with all collected market feedback on the next generation of software. The investment from the Hertek family business and BOM in March 2023 will be used for this purpose. SARA Robotics is also investing in measurable results and the growth of the sales and implementation team.
Support from BOM
BOM supported SARA Robotics in various ways. Venture developer Stephan Hulsbergen from BOM: “Together with the investment manager, we discuss the business strategy with the entrepreneurial team and guide the marketing and sales employees in customer validation.”
Very healthy future
BOM envisions a 'very healthy future' for SARA. “SARA does not replace staff but ensures there is more capacity and thus room for providing human, warm care. Because the platform is hardware-independent and suitable for different robots, the business case is also highly scalable,” says Stephan.
SARA fits perfectly in the Brabant ecosystem of Life Sciences & Health companies. This sector has been designated as a top sector in the Netherlands. It is good for a production value of around ten billion euros. Half of this is accounted for by North Brabant. BOM contributes to a vital, effective, and affordable healthcare system (in Brabant) by supporting startups and companies and thus bringing innovations to the market more quickly.
This contribution was made by BOM to the SARA case.
Developing
BOM advises and guides SARA in business strategy, customer validation, and sales and marketing strategy.
Investing
Together with Rabobank, Smart Holding bv, Hertek, and EIT Digital, BOM is investing in SARA. BOM is also actively seeking new investors.