Fall Detector Observes Falls Current Sensors Don't Register
From: Medical Design Technology - 02/08/2016

A new fall detector that SINTEF researchers are helping Tellu AS to develop
will improve their level of personal safety. It is capable of detecting all
types of fall, even sinking falls, which currently available products do not
register.

This type of fall is particularly difficult to detect because the g-forces
involved are small, since the falling movement takes place almost in slow
motion. A sinking fall doesn't involve significant g-forces; "in a sinking
fall, the victim may simply slide down a wall or off the edge of a bed, and
end up sitting on the floor," says SINTEF scientist Anders Liverud.

The newly developed fall detector registers falls by comparing pressure
changes between a sensor attached to the user's upper body and others
installed at various points around the house.

"When the pressure in the sensor attached to the body rises, it notes that
the user is falling," explains Liverud, who points out that the sensor will
detect the fall no matter how rapidly or slowly it takes place.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/02/fall-detector-observes-falls-current-sensors-dont-register

Links:
Fall detector for older people
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160208083608.htm
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=160824&CultureCode=en

Anders Liverud
http://www.sintef.no/en/contact-us/all-employees/?empid=4066

Connecting fall alarms to social media
https://www.sintef.no/en/news/connecting-fall-alarms-to-social-media

ADAPT develops and evaluates technology for assessing fall risks among seniors
https://www.sintef.no/en/projects/adapt