Zoe Care has unveiled an innovative Wi-Fi-based fall-detection solution for the elderly at the CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
Zoe Care Uses Wi-Fi Signals to Detect Falls
TechCrunch reported that the technology utilizes the existing Wi-Fi signals present in a home environment and capitalizes on the changes in Wi-Fi reception caused by human activities, providing a non-intrusive way to address the challenges of privacy and ease of use often associated with conventional remote monitoring technologies.
The device, called Zoe Fall, serves a dual purpose as a smart plug while incorporating a sensor to capture and analyze Wi-Fi signals. Spanning an area of up to 800 square feet, a single device can effectively secure multiple rooms or an entire floor.
When a fall is detected, the system translates the variations in Wi-Fi signals into alerts sent to a mobile application, ensuring a timely response.
Piotr Antonik, co-founder and CTO at Zoe Care, shared insights into the device's current testing phase, saying, "We're currently beta testing with nursing homes. A consumer version will be available by the end of the year. The fall detector will be offered as a subscription service, around $20-25 per month in the U.S."
Algorithm of Zoe Fall
Zoe Fall's algorithm is integrated directly into the Wi-Fi receiver, emphasizing complete privacy. The technology concentrates on the shape of the Wi-Fi wave rather than its content, ensuring no data transmission to the cloud.
The sole outcome is an alert message dispatched to caregivers or relatives upon detecting a fall. Thomas Saphir, Zoe Care's co-founder and CEO, highlighted the potential impact of the technology on elder care, stating that Zoe Fall manifests the company's mission to support the elderly in maintaining their independence.
The Wi-Fi-based fall-detection solution upholds privacy and aims to provide peace of mind for millions of senior citizens. Saphir believes that this technology could transform the landscape of elderly care.
Looking forward, Zoe Care has ambitious plans for its Wi-Fi sensing technology, intending to broaden its applications to remote patient monitoring, analyze chronic diseases, and deliver monthly health reports to monitor conditions like heart disease.
The deployment of Zoe Fall is uncomplicated, with the device capturing Wi-Fi waves emitted by an existing internet box or router. The embedded AI analyzes wave variations to identify movements and detect falls.
In case of a fall, an instant alert is sent to the smartphone of a caregiver or relative, according to TechCrunch's report. Zoe Care is a cost-effective solution in the elder care space, priced at a subscription cost ranging from $20 to $30 per month with no upfront expenses.
By presenting an innovative and privacy-focused approach to fall detection, Zoe Fall provides care homes with a potent tool to ensure prompt assistance in the event of a fall, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of older individuals.
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