A collaboration with Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed, Push to Talk helps people build meaningful connections, reducing feelings of loneliness and boosting mental wellbeing. Push to Talk is simple, easy to use, and capable of working as a stand-alone service or alongside other befriending services. It can be accessed via the Push To Talk smartphone app, or we can provide users with a button they set up in their homes. When pressed, the button will trigger a call to the user’s telephone. They will then connect to a similar user who has also pressed their button.
How technology can reduce loneliness
The concept for Push to Talk emerged at a Social Care Hack Day hosted by Liverpool City Council to address social isolation and loneliness, especially among the elderly — a pressing issue for the NHS and social care.
Loneliness and social isolation can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Age UK’s 2018 All the Lonely People report highlighted that social activities, paired with practical access support, are vital for tackling loneliness. Push to Talk had to reduce loneliness, ease healthcare strain, and lower care dependency while promoting mental and physical wellbeing through connection.
To be effective, Push to Talk had to be low-cost and easy for providers to implement, regardless of location. Accessibility and ease of use were critical to empower users and build confidence in connecting with others.
Mapping the full product journey
The primary challenges revolved around achieving connectivity without broadband or cellular reliance. We also had to adhere to strict size constraints and provide robust security and effective monitoring capabilities. Each design choice addressed these needs while maintaining a low-cost, scalable solution.
Connectivity: LoRaWAN for long-range, low-cost communication
Due to the high cost of cellular at the time, we needed a reliable connectivity solution that operated without broadband. The solution was LoRaWAN, a network technology optimised for transmitting small data packets over long distances.
Using The Things Network, the world’s largest LoRaWAN operator for IoT, provided additional advantages. This network is cost-effective and well-suited to the project’s low data volume requirements, offering wide coverage while supporting secure message transmission across extensive areas. LoRaWAN ensured the device could reliably connect to the internet while keeping operational costs extremely low.
Security: Open-source LoRaWAN stack for end-user protection
Given the potential transmission of sensitive information, security was paramount. The LoRaWAN stack, being fully open-source, allowed us to scrutinise and verify the security measures within the communication protocol. Open-source technology also offered transparency, allowing us to incorporate necessary encryption and authentication protocols to safeguard user data. LoRaWAN’s inherent security features, such as AES encryption, further contributed to a secure data flow, meeting the project’s stringent security needs without adding significant costs.
Size constraints: Compact design to fit core components
The device had to be no larger than a typical alarm clock to be unobtrusive in users’ homes. We condensed essential technology into a compact structure, utilising a LoRaWAN PCB antenna and a microcontroller tailored for long-range communication. These components meant the device could transmit messages effectively while adhering to the physical size limitations.
Service administration: Bespoke software for monitoring and control
To support efficient management, we developed bespoke software that enables administrators to monitor device activity and performance metrics. This software provides visibility into the number of active devices, button presses, call events, call durations, and specific button IDs involved in each interaction. This capability allows the service administrator to ensure reliable operation and identify issues in real time, improving the overall service quality.
Health and social care innovation and production
Proof of concept
Push to Talk began with a clear goal: create a device that enabled communication at the press of a button. To achieve this, we needed reliable software and a functional physical device. Our proof of concept involved building four simple devices to transmit signals to a laptop running custom software. The setup allowed each device to initiate a phone call to preassigned numbers. We successfully demonstrated transmitting data from a device to the internet without relying on Bluetooth, mobile data, Wi-Fi, or broadband. Confirming technical feasibility allowed us to transition from conceptual validation to a prototype.
Functional prototype
With the core technology validated, the next step was to refine the design, making the device more appealing and practical. We leveraged rapid prototyping technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting to create intricate, inexpensive designs.
Trials and user feedback
With everything in place, we needed to reach the people who would benefit from the service. To do this, we partnered with several collaborators to measure Push to Talk’s impact and how technology can reduce loneliness. These partners included Local Solutions, The Irish Centre and Irish Community Care, The Hope Centre Tuebrook, Everton In the Community, Asda in the Community, Live Wire, LCVS, Prima Homes, Bradbury Fields and Breckside Park Care Home.
We wanted to get a hands-on feel of how people might respond to the device, who would benefit and how we could reach more people. To do this, we took different approaches to collecting user data:
- In-person interviews. For months our team worked tirelessly to reach out to people in communities to gather their initial impressions, measure their desire for the device and implement improvements based on their feedback.
- Attendance at relevant local events. To understand the people the device would be helping, we attended events such as coffee mornings and Carers Week. By meeting with people, seeing their day-to-day challenges and hearing their opinions, we gained a deep understanding of our users.
- Analysing data through the dashboard. We also gathered quantitative data, analysing how people used the device in the real world for improvements.
As part of our work with the Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed, we trialled Push to Talk with people who had care responsibilities at home. Over half of all unpaid carers say they don’t like talking about caring to their friends and never get the time to socialise.
Mary, one of the trial users:
“I love using it. I contact other carers and we talk and have a laugh. It does everybody good. We don’t always talk to each other about our problems, we just chat.
“My son who I cared for for many years doesn’t live with me anymore, although I see him a lot of him. When I cared for him I hid it from people at work as I knew their thoughts about people with mental illnesses and didn’t want my son talked about that way. It made me feel quite lonely. When I met with people from Local Solutions who introduced me to Push to Talk I felt like they were giving a voice to the carers.”
Another trial user was asked if they had noticed improvements in their wellbeing:
“Yes, I have. I now look forward to getting a call at 7 pm. I know I can call at any time, but having a chance to talk to someone new is something I look forward to every night.”
Trial users were surveyed before and after using the service. After using Push to Talk, there was a 75% increase in those who said they hardly ever felt left out and a 50% increase in those who said they hardly ever felt isolated from other people. The results also saw a reduction of over 30% in the number of people who visited their GP and a 16% drop in the average number of visits per user.
Production-ready prototype
Following the feedback from the small trials, we made final changes to the prototype for EMC testing and manufacturing.
- PCB design: Due to the global electronic supply shortage in 2021, we made strategic decisions to minimise delays in design and testing. Using alternative, readily available components that met functional requirements kept development on track. We avoided sourcing from second or third-tier suppliers to ensure high-quality, genuine parts. Additionally, we pre-identified and secured at-risk components during the design phase, ensuring critical parts were ready for production.
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Manufacturing sourcing: We sourced a reliable manufacturer, Norcott, to produce 100 final boards, streamlining production with semi-automated services to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase yield. This marked a significant shift from the manual process, where it previously took one of our engineers three weeks to hand-assemble 150 PCBs.
An initial PCB was manufactured for firmware testing and to gather feedback from the industrial designer on integrating the circuitry into an enclosure. Pre-production boards were tested in-house, fitted with 3D-printed casings, and validated for functionality, ensuring they were ready for EMC testing.
Testing and regulatory compliance
Unit 3 Compliance provided skilled support on regulatory compliance for the device, reviewing the schematic and layout of the proposed PCB before manufacture. They also provided a report to highlight potential PCB issues that might cause difficulties during the EMC tests. The report also offered mitigations to maximise the device’s chances of passing the EMC tests. With this feedback, we made design adjustments to maximise the likelihood that the device would meet all test criteria on the first testing attempt.
Once ready, the device was then sent off for EMC testing. During this, the device would be measured against two sets of criteria; the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directive and the radio equipment directive 2014/53/EU (RED).
- Compliance with the EMC directive ensures that the device minimises its emission of electromagnetic radiation that could potentially influence other equipment. It also requires the device to resist any disturbance from other electronic appliances.
- Compliance with RED focuses on controlled use of the radio spectrum. Additional aspects RED covers also include interoperability, access to emergency services, and compliance regarding the combination of radio equipment and software.
Due to our thorough pre-testing and collaboration with Unit 3, the device passed EMC testing and is now UKCA/CE certified.
How to begin scaling your product
Initially, we used 3D printing and laser cutting to produce the Push to Talk buttons. These production methods are ideal for small-scale prototyping due to their affordability and ability to create intricate designs. However, for large-scale production, we transitioned to injection moulding using durable ABS plastic. Injection moulding enabled more efficient production of refined, sturdy, and versatile buttons. The top casing features a sleek matte white finish to resist fingerprints and dirt, while the bottom casing has a smoked translucent purple finish with moulded waves to direct internal light towards the user. Both finishes balance functionality and aesthetics, ensuring the device is durable, attractive, and home-friendly.
This shift to injection moulding improved the buttons’ robustness and reusability, allowing us to establish a circular economy business model. The buttons can be returned, refurbished and reused at the end of their use cycle, reducing environmental impact and waste.
Software development
The cellular connection did not require server modifications, and a previous API connection was used. With the help of subcontractor Pharmarketeer, server updates enabled continued use of the service with an increased number of users. They additionally created handover documentation for service stability and longevity as we move to a commercial release.
For tech-savvy users, the Push to Talk app offers access to the service from any location, independent of the button’s physical location. Available on the Google Play and App Store, the app is currently invite-only, requiring a code for access. The app provides a familiar option for smartphone users, appealing to younger demographics and those without landlines for broader accessibility.
Packaging design and branding
To prepare Push to Talk for the market, we collaborated with Liverpool-based designer Thom Isom to create a new logo and brand package that embodies compassion and connection. The design features characters reflecting users’ emotions before and after using the service.
Working with care organisations, we gained insights into user perceptions. Our previous branding focused on the impact of loneliness on physical and mental health. In contrast, the new messaging shifted towards human connections and wellbeing. The intention was to highlight Push to Talk as a welcoming network for meeting new people, using simple imagery and calming colours.
The full product journey is complete – what are the next steps?
The Push to Talk device is now fully UKCA and CE-certified, marking a significant milestone as being market-ready. This certification opens doors for expanding trials nationally and collaborating with organisations to address loneliness and bridge the digital divide. Push to Talk is a step toward building a more inclusive, supportive future for everyone to foster meaningful connections.
