This Smart Cane Can Detect Obstacles for the Elderly
Hayley McGlone — July 13, 2016 — Life-Stages
References: student.societyforscience.org & popsci
A new sensor-filled smart cane can help the elderly better navigate obstacles. The cane was designed by 17-year-old Mary Hood, who was inspired by wanting to help her grandmother. The cane is capable of detecting obstacles and vibrates when the user gets too close.
The smart cane is also capable of tracking the user's heart rate, can connect to mobile phones to remind users to take their medication and has a flashlight built in to light the way of the user. To detect obstacles, the sensors send out pulses at a high pitch that humans can't hear to bounce off any objects. The cane also vibrates if they user's heart rate is too fast or too slow, which can cause fainting. The smart cane could help prevent elderly users from suffering dangerous falls.
The smart cane is also capable of tracking the user's heart rate, can connect to mobile phones to remind users to take their medication and has a flashlight built in to light the way of the user. To detect obstacles, the sensors send out pulses at a high pitch that humans can't hear to bounce off any objects. The cane also vibrates if they user's heart rate is too fast or too slow, which can cause fainting. The smart cane could help prevent elderly users from suffering dangerous falls.
Trend Themes
1. Smart Sensor Canes - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop advanced algorithms and machine learning models to improve obstacle detection and fall prevention in smart canes for the elderly.
2. Health Tracking Canes - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Integrate more advanced health tracking features, such as blood pressure monitoring and fall detection, into smart canes for the elderly.
3. Connected Mobility Assistive Devices - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Create a connected ecosystem where smart canes can seamlessly integrate with other assistive devices to provide a comprehensive elderly care solution.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Technology - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop smart cane technologies that can be integrated into the broader healthcare ecosystem for improved patient monitoring and wellness.
2. Iot (internet of Things) Devices - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Explore the potential of integrating smart cane functionalities into existing IoT platforms to enhance elderly care and safety.
3. Senior Care Services - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Expand the range of smart assistive devices for the elderly, such as smart canes, to cater to the growing demand for innovative senior care solutions.
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