A Fife-based housing association is the first to use new technology to help tenants with routine repairs without stepping foot in their homes.
Kingdom Housing Association, which has properties across East Central Scotland, introduced augmented reality before the government’s coronavirus lockdown without knowing its immediate benefits.
The technology allows a tradesman to be virtually present in a tenant’s home, to see the issue in real time using video technology and offer support and advice by having their hand superimposed on the scene in the tenant’s home.
It’s one of the first times such technology has been used by a housing association in the UK and has been introduced through a partnership between housing consultancy DtL Creative and Swedish-based XMReality.
Gary Haldane, interim digital director at Kingdom Housing Association, said: “This technology has the potential to be a game-changer.
“I knew when I first saw it that it would prove very useful. I just hadn’t realised how useful until we went into lockdown and operatives were unable to attend routine repairs because of isolation.
“Our tenants have been amazed at how simple it is to use and we’ve already had really positive feedback from tenants who have used the service.
“Using augmented reality, we’re not only able to deliver the level of service our customers expect in a highly efficient manner, but we’re also able to do our best to minimise the transmission of the virus too.”
Dave Loudon, founder of DtL Creative, said: “We’re working with several tech companies to offer free support to help them manage.
“As a company we want to ensure technology and innovation is at the forefront of thinking in housing, so we’re pleased to be working with Kingdom who are embracing technology to improve tenants’ lives.”
