title: Development of an open technology sensor suite for assisted living: a student-led research project.
abstract: Many countries have a rapidly ageing population, placing strain on health services and creating a growing market for assistive technology for older people. We have, through a student-led, 12-week project for 10 students from a variety of science and engineering backgrounds, developed an integrated sensor system to enable older people, or those at risk, to live independently in their own homes for longer, while providing reassurance for their family and carers. We provide details on the design procedure and performance of our sensor system and the management and execution of a short-term, student-led research project. Detailed information on the design and use of our devices, including a door sensor, power monitor, fall detector, general in-house sensor unit and easy-to-use location-aware communications device, is given, with our open designs being contrasted with closed proprietary systems. A case study is presented for the use of our devices in a real-world context, along with a comparison with commercially available systems. We discuss how the system could lead to improvements in the quality of life of older users and increase the effectiveness of their associated care network. We reflect on how recent developments in open source technology and rapid prototyping increase the scope and potential for the development of powerful sensor systems and, finally, conclude with a student perspective on this team effort and highlight learning outcomes, arguing that open technologies will revolutionize the way in which technology will be deployed in academic research in the future.
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: James D
authors: 0000-0001-9260-3156
authors: JD
authors: Manton
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Josephine A E
authors: JA
authors: Hughes
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Bonner
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Omar A
authors: OA
authors: Amjad
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Philip
authors: 0000-0002-4317-2895
authors: P
authors: Mair
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Isabella
authors: 0000-0002-0058-0047
authors: I
authors: Miele
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Tiesheng
authors: 0000-0001-7587-7681
authors: T
authors: Wang
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Vitaly
authors: V
authors: Levdik
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Hall
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Géraldine
authors: G
authors: Baekelandt
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Fernando da Cruz
authors: 0000-0002-2453-554X
authors: Fda C
authors: Vasconcellos
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Oliver
authors: 0000-0001-9088-3203
authors: O
authors: Hadeler
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Tanya
authors: T
authors: Hutter
authors: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Clemens F
authors: CF
authors: Kaminski
keywords: assisted living technology; open technology; wireless sensor networks