A-I, artificial intelligence is about to transform caregiving, thanks to the launch of Thryve Labs, a health care startup that will pilot the concept in Erie, using the expertise of the Barber National Institute and three of its group homes.

Barber National Institute Vice President Robert Barber said, "We're looking to bring technology into this space for two reasons; one is to created a more supportive environment for those individuals who are direct support professionals and the other thing is to bring a higher level of care to the intellectually disabled community."

The need for caregivers is growing exponentially not only for people with special needs, but for senior citizens who want to age at home. The A-I powered platform will used advanced sensors throughout a home to learn someone's normal daily routine, and then track any changes in that routine, providing data to predict and prevent problems -- from a change in gait, to the potential for a fall, to skipping meals, or missing meds. "Being able to have some sort of technology in place that will allow you to check in on loved ones to see what's going on and to see how they're doing without being overly invasive is really the goal here," Barber said.

Matt Wachter, General Counsel and CFO at Carnegie Foundry, a venture studio in Pittsburgh tied to Carnegie Mellon University, is bringing $1.5 million in seed money to the project, with investment from Stand Together Ventures Lab and Barber National Institute itself.  "This is a product that we are so fortunate to be bringing to market right here in Erie, Pennsylvania with the Barber National Institute to help those people, we hope, one day live the very best lives that they can through the use of the most innovative technology that's available," Wachter said.

The launch of the pilot in Erie, will gather real world use information before taking Thryve Labs to the larger market.