Senior scientist
Olli Kuusisto presents the first sensors
that have been
retrofitted on a rollator.
(October 1, 2015) VTT
Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a smart rollator prototype
that supports independent living among the elderly.
VTT has made the traditional rollator smart by retrofitting
it with sensors and digital software that analyse user's physical condition and
daily activities. This allows the device to collect useful information on
user's daily rhythm, walking distances, duration and speed of walking, in
addition to hand grip strength. Such information can then be used to monitor
user's wellbeing and physical condition.
"Other features can also be developed, such as
monitoring of 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,"
explains VTT's Senior Scientist Olli Kuusisto.
It is possible to have the information forwarded to other
people, such as family members or care personnel.
VTT's IoT (Internet of Things) expertise enables the installation
of intelligent features on any device or space. Separate IoT solutions are
already available off-the-shelf, but the greatest benefits lie in connecting
solutions to the IoT network and using big data analyses to find out relevant
information from a multi-source data flow.