Älyä rollaattoriin senioreiden itsenäistä asumista tukemaan: Retrofitted intelligence: Smart Rollator supports independent living of seniors

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter or book articleProfessional

    Abstract

    Internet of Things (IoT) and changes brought by digitalisation are increasingly becoming a part of our lives at work and at home. Gartner has predicted that more than 20 billion objects and entities will be connected to the Internet by 2020. Objects can be “smartified” by incorporating or adding sensors/actuators and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data. In retrofitted intelligence project different user stories about IoT-based services were presented to the target group, and smart rollator was chosen to be taken further as a prototype. A traditional rollator was made smart by retrofitting it with sensors and digital software that analyse user’s physical condition and daily activities. A method for measuring individual step length and duration was developed. This allows the device to collect useful information on user’s daily rhythm, walking distances, duration and speed of walking. Such information can then be used to monitor user’s wellbeing and physical condition. Other features can also be developed, such as monitoring the hand grip strength, motoric state or fall alarm. The measured data can be compared to the user’s own goals and those of a reference group or a friend. Emerging trends can be monitored on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. It is possible to have the information forwarded to other people, such as family members or care personnel, and it may be exploited in detecting gradual or sudden changes in user’s functional status. A video presentation of the co-creative prototyping process used in this study is available at: https://youtu.be/uyVwRpGse-0
    Original languageFinnish
    Title of host publicationIkääntyminen ja teknologia
    Subtitle of host publicationAgeing and technology
    PublisherVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
    Pages82-87
    ISBN (Electronic)978-951-38-8613-4
    ISBN (Print)978-951-38-8612-7
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017
    MoE publication typeD2 Article in professional manuals or guides or professional information systems or text book material

    Publication series

    SeriesVTT Research Highlights
    Number14
    ISSN2242-1173

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