HOW can the tech sector help seniors remain independent, connected, healthy, and safe? Solutions for the elderly were prominently displayed at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show ranging from smart clothing to embedded sensors to help monitor those at risk.

One of the keys for useful products, CES exhibitors said, is to have the monitoring devices as unobtrusive as possible so seniors feel less awkward.

Here are three concepts for seniors seen at the gadget extravaganza this week:

Intelligent homes

Japanese homebuilding group Sekisui House showcased its new “Platform House Concept” which can allow seniors to live independently while being monitored for detection of disease or health problems.

Robot companions for the elderly have been around for years. But the smart assistant designed as a parakeet from Boston start-up Loro is aimed at wheelchair-bound users, offering an extra set of eyes and ears

Developed with scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Sekisui House uses ceiling sensors to monitor a person’s heartbeat; in the event of cardiac arrest, the home will call for help and unlock the doors after verification of emergency crews.

Brian Anthony, an MIT professor who spoke at the Sekisui exhibit, said the “home as a service” concept enables better health tracking of seniors even if they don’t ask for help.

“One of biggest issues is compliance with medication, and wearing connected devices,” Anthony said. “Here you just have it in the environment, you don’t have to worry about technology.”

French start-up Technis showed its smart flooring, which uses sensors to detect how seniors are moving, how often they use the bathroom and their pace of activity.

The system uses artificial intelligence to detect abnormalities and alert a person’s medical team.

Smart (discreet) wearables

Sleepwear is a good way to track health vitals discreetly, according to Japanese start-up Xenoma, which introduced its “e-skin” pajamas designed for elderly people.

They look like normal pajamas but sensors analyse health vitals and sleep conditions, and detect falling.

The pajamas were one of several examples of textile computing, which relies on sensors woven into fabric to collect and analyse health data.

Another wearable for seniors is a wrist-worn monitor from US start-up CarePredict which can allow loved ones to track activities like eating, sleeping and walking before the vitals show signs of decline. An artificial intelligence program aims to predict problems including depression, according to the company, CarePredict’s Jerry Wilmink said the device is especially useful for people caring for elderly family members who live far away.

“The challenge is right now, that caregivers on average live about 3,000 miles away from seniors they care for, so they need eyeballs in that home,” he said.

For the elderly with medical conditions requiring adult diapers, US start-up Smardii offered its solution which monitors health by analysing urine and stool.

“There are more and more elderly people and fewer people to take care of them,” said co-founder Sebastien Gaddini of the Florida-based start-up.

“We can help reduce costs in a nursing home setting.” The device, which can also track seniors who wander off, is expected to be launched this year in the US and later in Europe.

Robots and data

Robot companions for the elderly have been around for years. But the smart assistant designed as a parakeet from Boston start-up Loro is aimed at wheelchair-bound users, offering an extra set of eyes and ears.

“It can see what’s around without turning your head,” said Loro co-founder David Hojah.

Loro is designed with artificial intelligence to recognise objects and, with the help of a connected tablet, can speak for the user if he or she cannot.

For some developers, collecting and analysing data is a key for better wellness for seniors.

Ejenta, a California start-up developing systems for remote health care, unveiled a system which can scoop up biometric data from a variety of sources such as smart clothing or phones, modelled after a program developed by NASA for astronauts.

Ejenta is using the system to monitor conditions for patients over age 85, enabling caregivers to have better information.

“This is where the future is going — all clothing and objects and sensors we wear will be connected, generating data,” said Rachna Dhamija, co-founder and chief executive.

“So we need platforms like this which can collect it, analyse it and provide predictive analytics for your health.”

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, January 13th, 2020