Falls can be hazardous for senior citizens. For senior citizens over the age of 65, 30% of falls result in minor injuries, while 20% cause significant injuries, even leading to death. When a fall does occur, immediate medical assistance is necessary. The most unfortunate case is when a senior citizen is alone and unable to call for aid, significantly increasing the degree of harm. We aim to enhance elderly safety by integrating fall detection and location tracking technology, which can immediately alert caregivers in these emergencies.
To enable fall detection, we use two units of ultrasonic distance sensors. The first unit consists of three sensors forming a circle around the walking stick, while the second unit consists of another sensor at the bottom of the stick, which faces the ground. When the distance detected by at least one of the Unit 1 sensors is below 10 cm, and the distance detected by the Unit 2 sensor is over 50 cm, a fall is detected. To enable location tracking, we use a GPS module. We use Arduino to program both fall detection and location tracking so that caregivers can be aware of the elders’ whereabouts, alert when a fall is detected, and rush to their assistance.
We utilize two types of renewable energies to power our smart walking stick: solar power and kinetic energy. Solar panels covering the stick provide solar power, while piezoelectric plates at the base of the walking stick harvest kinetic energy from the compression force. The electricity they generate is stored in a chargeable battery pack. Together, these measures ensure that the stick never runs out of power.
In conclusion, the smart walking stick aims to reduce the risk associated with falls and improve the quality of life for seniors.
