A universal 5G connected Smart Inhaler Tracker and motivator for ALL inhaler types and patients of all ages with respiratory disease to increase adherence and reduce hospitalisations.

Respiratory diseases are the world's leading causes of death and disability. 200 million people (4% of the world's population) have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and 3.2 million die of it each year. Asthma affects 350 million people worldwide and is the most common chronic disease of childhood.

A review of 40 different studies with 15,000 people, including children, conducted on 4 continents showed that using App-based digital health products with connected "smart inhaler trackers" helped people with asthma become better at taking their inhaled steroids by 15%. Their risk of having an asthma attack also decreased by 50% on average.

Smart inhaler trackers are electronic devices that connect to the inhalers. These record when the patient uses their inhaler and gives feedback about whether they are being used correctly. They can be used for both "preventer" and "reliever" inhalers. Tracking the over-use of "reliever" inhalers can identify patients who have poor control.

The manufacturers of inhalers go to great lengths to make their products different from their competitors. This makes creating smart inhaler trackers to fit them all very difficult. Some pharmaceutical companies are adding microchips and batteries to their inhalers, but there are concerns about the environmental impact of the waste created. Inhalers have 1 month's supply of medication.

Bluetooth connection to Smartphones introduces more problems: Children are not allowed smartphones in school; patients' digital exclusion through poverty and low digital literacy.

This project will deliver a new Smart inhaler tracker which:

1. Is "Universal" for all inhaler types (gas and dry powder, all brands).
2. Provides on-screen multi-lingual audible and animated instructions for ease-of-use.
3. Transmits data in real-time via 4/5G so Smartphones are not needed to use it.
4. Costs £70 to manufacture in the UK with automation, reducing carbon emissions by 95% over delivery by Far-Distant manufacturers.