University of Manchester launches app combining fitness and discovery

A new app has launched that hopes to gamify the streets of Manchester by combining fitness with discovering more about the area.

The University of Manchester’s Health eResearch Centre (HeRC) created BeeActive, an app that sets users personal daily steps goals to encourage walking around the city.

App engagement will initially be for those who live and work near Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor innovation hub, but the university said it could eventually roll out further afield.

BeeActive monitors weather and traffic conditions as it sends out notifications of encouragement and offers walking-based missions. One example is that if a user is on the bus, the app could suggest they get off early to boost their step count.

The app was created as part of CityVerve, the UK’s smart city demonstrator based in Manchester.

Charlotte Stockton-Powdrell, the project manager for BeeActive, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to become part of Manchester’s technology demonstrator project which could help shape the future of the way we engage with technology.

“It is also a chance to explore the city of Manchester, to learn more about its history and of course to increase your activity in a fun way!”

Julie Harrison, CityVerve project lead at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “The main aim of the health and social care theme is to help people help themselves and BeeActive is a perfect example of this.

“By empowering people to take charge of their health, be this through increased walking motivated via the app, we can help bring health and social care back into the community.”