Sentient Haven: IoT Guardian for Seniors
A low-cost IoT system that monitors elderly individuals' well-being and detects subtle behavioral changes indicative of distress or decline, leveraging personalized biometric and environmental data.
Inspired by the invasive yet insightful data collection in 'Biometric Records', the ethical considerations of AI autonomy in 'I, Robot', and the layered reality concept of 'Inception', Sentient Haven is an IoT project focused on proactive senior care. The core idea is to create a non-intrusive system that learns the 'normal' routine and biometric patterns of an elderly person in their home. This involves a small network of low-cost sensors: a motion sensor to track activity levels, a smart temperature/humidity sensor for environmental comfort, a wearable (like a simple pedometer or heart rate monitor) for basic physiological data, and potentially a smart plug to monitor appliance usage (e.g., coffee maker, TV). The 'Inception' element comes into play by creating a subtle, 'dream-like' understanding of the individual's state – not through direct observation, but by inferring their well-being from deviations in their established patterns. Asimov's influence is evident in the focus on intelligent systems assisting humans, here applied to ensuring their safety and quality of life. The system learns daily routines, sleep patterns, activity levels, and basic vital signs. If a significant deviation occurs – prolonged inactivity, a sudden drop in temperature in a frequently used room, or a change in sleep quality – the system flags it. Crucially, it avoids invasive cameras or microphones, respecting privacy. The 'Biometric Records' aspect is addressed by creating personalized 'well-being records' that are analyzed for trends, not for invasive profiling. The system can send alerts to designated family members or caregivers via a simple mobile app. Potential earning potential lies in a subscription-based service for families, offering peace of mind and early intervention for potential health issues, as well as partnerships with home care agencies.
Area: IoT (Internet of Things)
Method: Biometric Records
Inspiration (Book): I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
Inspiration (Film): Inception (2010) - Christopher Nolan