DIGITAL HEALTH + NEUROTECH
Robots can help seniors age in place. Following are examples of robots that perform tasks, communicate, and notify loved ones in emergencies. Toyota’s Human Support Robot program’s current robot prototype is compact and highly maneuverable, with a folding arm which can pick up objects off the floor, and bring things down from shelves, among other […]
Footprints by Quanticare is a walker that continuously collects passive and contextual gait data, with the goal of predicting and preventing senior falls. Its computer vision algorithm captures spatio-temporal gait metrics of the user and sends the data to a health care provider. The company claims that the walker could measure an osteoarthritic limp to improve PT protocols, and […]
Robocoach uses motion-sensor technology to coach seniors during exercise classes. Created by Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Lim Pei Xuan, the robot has blue eyes and two teeth, and mimics human movements, Voices are recognized, including instructions to start the session. In large group workouts, the pace is slowed, to ensure that everyone can keep up. Robocoach […]
King’s College London professor James Timmons has developed a gene signature blood test that he believes could be used to predict Alzheimer’s disease. His goal is early detection and preventative treatment. The test is the first to measure biological age. Researchers analyzed thousands of blood, brain and muscle samples to find 150 markers of gene activity associated with good […]
Samsung’s SleepSense measures breathing, heart rate, and movement in real time, without touching the body. The company claims that this monitoring results in a 97% accurate sleep score, delivered to one’s phone. SleepSense can communicate with a television, audio system, thermostat, and other household devices, to create a favorable sleep environment. TVs can be turned off […]
Shlomo Wagner at the University of Haifa has published a paper linking emotions to the processes of learning and memory. For the first time, electrical activity that takes place in the brain during the formation of social memory was identified. Wagner believes that “different emotions cause the brain to work differently and on distinct […]
Vigour, by Pauline van Dongen, is a sensor sweater developed for geriatric rehabilitation. The knitted cardigan, with integrated stretch sensors, discreetly and continuously monitors upper body movement. Two sensors monitor lower back movement, and one under each arm monitors shoulder and arm movement. Data is transferred to the user, caregiver, or physician. It can be worn […]
University of Rochester‘s Spencer Rosero is developing a human cell sensor that, when implanted, detects subtle biological changes to provide advanced warning of health issues. The cells are engineered to detect specific chemical changes. When a variation is discovered, the cells respond, and a fluorescent light glows. The sensor’s camera enables patients and doctors to […]
As part of its IoT Ubiquitousware platform, Fujitsu has developed a stamp sized sensor tag that detects falls, position, posture, and temperature changes. The tags contain accelerometers, barometers, gyroscopes and microphones. They can also include heart rate sensors and GPS modules. Data is transmitted via Bluetooth Low Energy. Algorithms analyze the data and automatically send alerts […]
Evermind, Lively (see ApplySci April, 2013 and November, 2014), and BeClose are sensor systems allowing remote caregiver monitoring — part of a growing genre of technologies helping seniors age in place. Evermind detects when appliances are switched on and off, and sends messages to caregivers through the day. It also sends alerts when changes in activity […]