SGN/BU CO Alarm Accessibility
Improving carbon monoxide alarm accessibility through inclusive design and user-centred research.
Overview
The SGN/BU Accessibility Project brings together Southern Gas Networks (SGN), Bournemouth University (BU), and Cyber Innovations Ltd. to design a more accessible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.
Within Cyber Innovations, the project is led by Professor Marios Angelopoulos, a specialist in networked and sensing systems. His expertise ensures that the accessibility module is both technically advanced and inclusive for vulnerable users.
Cyber Innovations also provides project management and resilience consultancy, ensuring the design process is guided by human-centred principles and real-world usability testing.
Key Facts
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Status: Active (2025 – ongoing)
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Project Lead: Professor Marios Angelopoulos (Cyber Innovations)
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Funding: SGN, in collaboration with Bournemouth University
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Partners: SGN, Bournemouth University, Cyber Innovations Ltd.
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Sectors: Utilities, Safety Technology, Public Sector
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Focus Areas: Inclusive design, sensing systems, accessibility, resilience
Deliverables
Accessibility module for
carbon monoxide alarms
Research insights on vulnerable-user needs and inclusive safety design
Project management and consultancy support from
Cyber Innovations
Knowledge transfer between academia, industry, and applied innovation
Outcomes & Impact
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Safer, more inclusive CO alarms for households across the UK
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Evidence base for embedding inclusive design in sensing technologies
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Strengthened partnerships between academia, industry, and spin-out companies
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Framework for applying resilience-focused design to other safety-critical products
Approach / Methods
The project combines sensing systems expertise with inclusive design research:
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Technical innovation in sensing systems
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Human-centred design and accessibility testing (CI & BU)
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Industry-led requirements from SGN
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Resilience-informed consultancy to ensure robust, user-focused outcomes
Partners
