Title: Alzheimer’s Assistant

Creator: Abdullah Sadiq

Description:

The Alzheimer’s Assistant is a system designed to help both patients and their caretakers. The creator set out a list of minimum goals. The system should be able to carry out the following tasks:

  • Reminding the patient of carrying out tasks, he/she has to do daily (such as medications, exercise, etc)
  • Monitor where the patient is in the house
  • Alert the caretakers in case of an emergency of any sort
  • Display the time (it’s a watch, after all!)
  • It should be portable, and easy to use, even for an elder patient
  • The cost should be kept to a minimum

He uses the following parts for the bare-bones project to function:

  • Infineon’s Sensor Hub Nano
  • Arduino MKR1000
  • HC-05 Bluetooth Module
  • Nokia 5110 Display

He uses an Infineon’s Sensor Hub Nano evaluation board because it has a DPS310 barometric pressure sensor, which sends its data through the evaluation board via bluetooth. But the issue was that the normal workflow required an android phone, which he didn’t want to be a requirement for the users. So, he uses an  Arduino MKR1000 board due to its small form factor and WiFi capability.  After parsing all the data compiled, he uses a display, connected to the Arduino, that interacts with the users, and show any messages, or to display the time or the data from the sensor.

What it does:

  • tells the time and date
  • send reminders
  • detects when you fall
  • tracks your location
  • measures temperature
  • built in buzzer/vibrator to grab the users attention towards the watch
  • a help button

 

 

Response:

I personally think this project is well thought out and took into consideration the user experience. For example, if you’re someone with Alzheimer’s you might not realize you’re wearing a watch, but the built in buzzer alerts you and brings your attention to the watch. Even though that is a step in the right direction, what if the user does not know what the buzzer does? or forgets how to use parts of the watch? Other than that, I think the project would be very beneficial to both the patient and especially the caretakers, and hope the creator keeps working and realizing it.

 

Read more at: https://www.hackster.io/abdullahsadiq/alzheimer-s-assistant-a017ad