A pioneering app developed through a collaboration between a claims management company and Salford University aims to address housing disrepair using artificial intelligence.
- The app, IntelOptic, swiftly analyses images for disrepair, promising accuracy and cost savings for councils.
- Development was inspired by a tragic incident, underscoring the app’s potential health benefits for tenants.
- Initial functionality includes detecting damp and mould, with future updates broadening capabilities.
- A long-term goal is mediating claims without the need for legal intervention, offering financial relief to local authorities.
A significant development in the management of housing disrepair has emerged through a partnership between a claims management company (CMC) and Salford University. This initiative has led to the creation of an app, IntelOptic, which is supported by artificial intelligence. This app is designed to identify issues related to housing disrepair, aiming to reduce the need for physical inspections and thus saving local councils substantial resources.
IntelOptic’s capability to analyse images within 1.5 seconds and deliver results with an accuracy rate of up to 95% stands as a testament to its effectiveness. The underlying technology is currently documented in a scientific paper undergoing publication, adding a layer of academic validation to its innovative approach.
The app’s conception traces back to 2022 during a university programme geared towards small and medium-sized enterprises. Here, CMC’s co-founders pitched the concept of leveraging AI for housing repair identification, allowing tenants to photograph areas of disrepair, which the app would then assess and diagnose.
The practical capabilities of the app are progressing, with its first version focusing on damp and mould detection. Imminent updates are expected to expand these capabilities to include the detection of cracks and leaks in structural elements such as walls and windows.
Mr Sykes, the operations director at CMC, highlighted that the app’s potential health benefits are a driving force behind its development, particularly in light of a tragic case in Rochdale where severe damp and mould conditions led to the death of a toddler. With the app’s early-stage deployment, a mediation tool that enables resolution without legal proceedings is envisaged, potentially offering significant cost reductions for councils and housing associations.
The IntelOptic app represents a significant advancement in using technology to address public sector challenges, offering both fiscal and health-related benefits.
