An example of a university/government relationship in the North American Chapter of the ISG.
Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to provide one example of gerontechnology-oriented research. Universities provide unique enclaves where creative ideas can be formed and nurtured. However, their lack of resources and access to patients often prevents universities from implementing large-s...
| Publicado en: | Gerontechnology Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 155 - 157 |
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| Autores principales: | , |
| Formato: | abstract pictorial proceedings research Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
International Society for Gerontechnology
2014 Special Issue
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| Sumario: | Purpose The purpose of this presentation is to provide one example of gerontechnology-oriented research. Universities provide unique enclaves where creative ideas can be formed and nurtured. However, their lack of resources and access to patients often prevents universities from implementing large-scale applications of these novel ideas. Partnerships with government organizations such as those between the Department of Veterans Affairs and more than one hundred medical schools in the United States also offer unique opportunities to develop and test the next generation of gerontechnology. Method We report on a collaborative effort between the University of South Florida and the US Department of Veterans Affairs to create new 'location aware' technologies that can facilitate both aging in place and recovery from traumatic brain injury1. We specifically cite the development of Ubiwatch, (Figure 1). Ubiwatch uses an active radio transponder to generate coordinate data from predefined indoor spaces. The 2.4GHz radio allows outdoor localization, beyond of the range of the UWB infrastructure and permits the wearer to send a distress message. Figure 2 presents tracking data obtained by a user wearing a tag as he moves about the clinical facility hallways; the Ubiwatch achieved tracking accuracy within 20cm. Ubiwatch provides prompting services, and the tracking data gathered from the Ubiwatch can be used to estimate fall risk2 from walking paths. The Ubiwatch's ability to measure altitude (Z) will be useful in detecting falls that have already occurred3 and notifying caregivers of the adverse events. Results & Discussion The Ubiwatch was developed as part of a multiyear collaborative project that uses location-aware technology to deliver on-demand customized prompts and reminders to Veterans with traumatic brain injury when they are located in a specialized residential treatment living facility2. Part of the floor plan of the facility is shown in Figure 2. The Ubiwatch may be used to prompt patients to attend to the customized message displayed on screens located throughout the facility. |
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