Every year, we meet, hear from or read about the people, projects and organisations quietly reinventing how the social housing sector - and the wider world - thinks, builds, connects and serves.

This list celebrates not the predictable or the polished, but just some of the people and organisations we've seen trying something new, even when there isn’t a blueprint.

From robot baristas and restorative practice in HR to AI-driven stock surveys and modular multi-storey buildings, these are some of our favourites from the last year.

It’s time for our second innovation fixation of 2025!

So what caught our attention and sparked our curiosity this time?

It's none other than the Laboratory for AI, Robotics and Automation (LARA) at the The National Robotarium, a place where cutting-edge technology meets everyday life.  

 

Inside, you’ll find everything from sensors that monitor normal behaviour patterns and signal an alarm when those patterns are broken, to robots that deliver medication, bringing peace of mind and practical support to residents and carers alike. 

 

LARA acts as a living testbed where researchers can develop and evaluate assistive robots, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart sensor technologies within a realistic, two-bedroom accessible home.