Face camera
A normal eye-level view, so the professional can see the person's face and responses — just like across a desk.
How it works
Closer to visiting an office than using a computer.
The person attending should need to operate almost nothing. The professional — or a remote support service — looks after the technology from their end.
An appointment, step by step
What Margaret's visit could look like.
Book as usual
Margaret books with her professional the normal way. The appointment is linked to the room at her local library.
Walk in and sit down
The screen greets her by name and tells her who she's seeing and when. There's nothing to log into, no links, no passwords.
The professional takes it from there
They connect the session, choose the right camera view, show documents on screen, print papers for her to read or sign, and scan anything she has brought.
Help is one press away
A large, obvious HELP button is always in reach if something isn't working.
The room resets itself
When the session ends, the room disconnects, parks the cameras, clears temporary documents and print queues, and is ready for the next person.
Three cameras, three jobs
So nobody has to ask an 80-year-old to "move the camera a bit".
Document camera
Looks down on the desk, so documents can be read and signing can be seen clearly.
Room camera
A remotely controlled wide view the professional can move to set positions — whole room, client, client and companion, door, signing table.
What's in a room
Professional kit, described by what it does.
The standard will describe capabilities, not brands — so communities can use existing, donated or refurbished equipment that meets it.
- A large main screen, and a second screen for documents where needed
- Good microphone and speakers
- Face, document and room cameras
- Colour printing and fast two-sided scanning
- A dedicated room computer on a wired network
- Main internet plus an independent backup connection
- Battery backup for power interruptions
- A physical HELP button and accessibility equipment
Built in from the start
Privacy, access and reliability aren't extras.
Private by default
Consultation cameras are parked and microphones off when the room is empty. Nothing is recorded just because it could be. Building security cameras stay separate from the consultation system.
Accessible for everyone
Large screens and text, captions, hearing-loop support, wheelchair access, sensible desk height, and room for interpreters or support people to join. Tested with real older users.
Steady connection
ROOM needs stable internet more than fast internet. Rooms are designed with a backup connection (4G/5G or satellite) and to cope sensibly if the line drops mid-session.
For the technically minded
Two parts: a central platform and a local Room Agent.
Each room runs a small "Room Agent" on its own computer to look after the cameras, screens, printer and scanner. It makes a secure outgoing connection to the central ROOM platform — which means a library or council doesn't need to open up its network or reconfigure firewalls to host a room.
Design targets are around 50 Mbps symmetrical recommended, 100 Mbps preferred, while still working at lower speeds. These are working targets that the prototype will test, not a final specification.
Questions about how it would work?
Our FAQ covers privacy, cost, connection needs and more.
Read the FAQ