'Magic Carpet' Could Help Prevent Falls From: University of Manchester - 09/04/2012 By: Daniel Cochlin University of Manchester researchers have developed a smart carpet equipped with optical fibers that bend when people walk on it and map their walking patterns in real time. The optical fibers act as sensors and relay signals to a computer, where they are analyzed to show the image of the footprint and identify changes in walking behavior. The researchers say the technology could be used to put smart carpets in care homes and hospital wards. The imaging technology also could be used as an early-warning system to detect the presence of chemical spills or fire. The technology involves a tomographic technique that maps two-dimensional images by using light coming from under the surface of the smart carpet. "The carpet can gather a wide range of information about a person’s condition; from biomechanical to chemical sensing of body fluids, enabling holistic sensing to provide an environment that detects and responds to changes in patient condition," says Manchester researcher Patricia Scully. Manchester professor Chris Todd says the technology "represents a unique collaboration between scientists from different backgrounds working together to identity a smart solution to an important problem for our country and indeed all over the world." Read the entire article at: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=8648 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-09/uom-cc083112.php Links: Patricia Scully http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/Patricia.Scully Magic Carpet Analyzes Walking Patterns, Provides Clues as to How the Elderly Fall http://www.dailytech.com/Magic+Carpet+Analyzes+Walking+Patterns+Provides+Clues+as+to+How+the+Elderly+Fall/article27580.htm 'Magic carpet' can detect or even predict a fall http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19479365