Harrogate-based, Chameleon Technology, the smart energy technology company behind in-home displays and connected energy data solutions, today announced a new partnership with Viviplu to support the development of software designed to protect vulnerable people in their own homes.
As part of this partnership, Chameleon is providing data analytics expertise and insight into household energy usage patterns for Ask Joan, Viviplu’s safety system designed to help people experiencing domestic abuse access support. Using simple pre-set patterns with everyday appliances, users can trigger a silent SOS and notify trusted contacts or emergency services without relying on visible panic buttons.
Through live household energy data and advanced disaggregation technology, Chameleon helps identify the unique energy ‘fingerprints’ of everyday appliances – including how much power they draw and for how long – allowing individual devices to be recognised within overall household usage. This enables algorithms to distinguish normal activity from intentional signal sequences, such as multiple rapid activations of a kettle or hair straightener, which then triggers an alert.
Previously reliant on data sources without real-time insights, the Chameleon partnership now enables faster, more accurate and fully discreet detection, helping ensure support can be accessed safely when it is needed most.
Katy Longhurst, Founder of Viviplu, commented:
As a survivor of domestic abuse, it’s incredibly important to me that people know support is available and that they are not alone.
I built Ask Joan from my lived experience, and I’ve seen just how powerful the right support can be for both survivors and vulnerable adults. Together with the team at Chameleon, there is so much we can achieve to better protect people and ultimately keep survivors and vulnerable adults safe.
Kyle Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Chameleon Technology, added:
Live energy data has the potential to quietly support people when they are at their most vulnerable, and we’re proud to bring our expertise to a partnership focused on delivering real-world impact.
Working alongside Viviplu shows how connected home technologies can be used not just to improve efficiency, but to help create safer homes and provide reassurance that support is always within reach.
- Chameleon Technology is a visionary smart technology solutions company, pioneering smart devices since 2010. We are energy experts, helping households and businesses turn complex energy data into something simple and valuable.
- More than 20 million people, in over a third of homes in Great Britain, have access to a Chameleon in-home display to help them keep track of their energy use and spending. Our award-winning, innovative hardware captures home energy and environmental data, which is then enriched and analysed through our data services. We deliver bespoke data insights to both businesses and consumers, via Chameleon’s Control Centre and the free ivie app for households.
- Based primarily in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Chameleon has additional operations in France and Hong Kong. Together, Chameleon’s team is working hard to empower individuals, communities and organisations to make informed decisions about their energy consumption, in order to achieve a positive impact on their environment.
