DUBAI // Two Emirati students at Khalifa University have developed software that can detect when the elderly or infirm fall over at home.
Omar Abdelrahman, 25, came up with the idea while studying at Korea’s Institute of Science and Technology last summer.
Mr Abdelrahman started work on the project with Salem Dahmani, also 25, on his return to the UAE.
“It’s important for people in the UAE because, for example, if my grandfather falls he’s not going to tell anyone. He’s too proud,” said Mr Abdelrahman.
“This happened and he hurt his leg, and for one or two weeks he didn’t tell anybody about it. So this project is really close to home.”
The computer engineering students designed a video-detection system that can monitor people in their homes. But they were keen to ensure people’s privacy.
“We didn’t want it to be on the internet, where it could be hacked,” said Mr Abdelrahman. “We needed to give ladies their privacy, so we also didn’t want it to be recorded.”
Mr Dahmani, who along with his friend is finishing his bachelor’s degree, said it was important to balance cultural issues with safety.
“In the UAE there are cultural issues, so we needed to adapt the technology to this, not in the least for ladies,” he said.
The subject is not filmed but the software can monitor them using an aspect-ratio system. If their width is greater than their height, a text message is sent to a family member or carer.
“We haven’t yet decided on which alert system exactly, but that’s the final step and the easiest part,” said Mr Abdelrahman. “We will use a GSM modem running on a sim card. The device is very cheap and buying everything for it cost us only Dh500.”
Tests with 60 prone people and 60 non-prone people at his home in Sharjah yielded a 90 per cent accuracy rate.
But Mr Abdelrahman said that with some work, such as adjustments to the brightness and autofocus, they could improve that to 95 per cent.
“We just need to tweak it for each location. It’s easy to fix,” said Mr Dahmani.
The students say the device could be crucial for people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
“Sometimes they don’t even realise or remember they fell,” said Mr Abdelrahman.
“We have slippery floors in homes, so for so many people this is really helpful.”
The students funded the final-year project with the help of Mr Abdelrahman’s mother, Waheeda Abdul Aziz, who is the head of the Friends of Arthritis Patients charity.
“In my opinion, I see this device solving many issues facing the elderly and people suffering from bone diseases,” said Ms Abdul Aziz.
“It can be used to watch over people with no caregivers, and also aid caregivers in watching over afflicted people.
“Our charity decided to support this device due to its potential uses with people suffering from bone diseases. Almost anyone can afford one [of the monitors].
“In the case of care homes outside common areas, it is hard to keep a constant eye on patients who are prone to falls.”
Ms Abdul Aziz said she was impressed with the attention the students had given to patients’ privacy.
“The main concern we had when adopting this device was how it would conflict with the culture of the UAE,” she said.
“After those concerns were addressed we have decided to adopt the fall-detection system due to its potential.”
mswan@thenational.ae
