Smart house can monitor the health status of residents [Full text]

Foreword: With the development of science and technology, intelligence has become a fashion that people are pursuing. According to the news, British researchers are developing smart houses, not only for safety and environmental protection, but also for monitoring the health status of occupants. This smart house is called InterHome, and researchers have introduced prototypes.

Monitor the health of occupants

The Smart House developed by University of Hertfordshire researchers includes a wristband device that can detect important vital signs such as body temperature and pulse. The wristband is wirelessly connected to the entire smart home system and can safely transmit data for reading by authorized persons.

John Sio, senior lecturer in digital communication systems at the University of Hertfordshire, an R&D project leader, said: “The elderly population is increasing. Statistics show that more and more elderly people live alone at home. If someone falls, The wristband device) will be aware of it and immediately activate the pulse monitor to see if the person is in shock. This is an early warning system that alerts the occupants of monitoring."

From the smart house prototype, wristbands are still too heavy. Siau said: "We are working to reduce its size."

He said: "This opens up a platform for us to add some technological equipment that is easy to live in." Researchers are working on the development of health service-related content, such as the geographic coordinate system. This system is suitable for people with Alzheimer's disease. Once lost, the system can play a role.

Safety and environmental protection "learn"

In addition to monitoring the health of occupants, Interactive House can also “learn” the living habits of residents and execute instructions to help save energy and reduce emissions.

Interactive House prototype built in a toy house, the home automation equipment controller into a touch screen, occupants can use it to control all connected devices, but also can use a web browser, smart phone or any mobile phone with SMS control.

Sio said that compared with similar smart houses, interactive houses have strong adaptability and can “learn” the daily life habits of occupants.

"This technology allows the system to quickly learn when we need lights, whether it is at home, whether it is at work, and what kind of room the house should be in at certain times during the day," he said. "If we forget to lock the front door or turn off the light, it SMS will notify us, and our reply will reset the program.”

Interactive House has no intention of invading privacy

The interactive home system was praised by Jim Gaston, the director of the “Smart Home” project of Duke University. He said that this is a "good idea."

Gaston said that Duke University students are working on similar functions. The occupants wear radio frequency identification tags. If lost or not moved for a long time, the identification tag will warn.

However, Gaston warned that such technologies face some challenges. "When it comes to widespread use, it may create privacy or security problems."

In this regard, Sio said that the interactive house has no intention of infringing on privacy. “We consider elderly people living alone and unattended. This system is expected to reduce some people’s worries and may save some lives.”


(Source: Zhejiang Online - Today Morning News)