Overview of SMART technology categories and specific examples of products for older adults and elderly care
| Category | Technology/Device | Specific examples* | Needs fulfilled | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1. Wearable Technologies | Smart Trackers and Watches | Fitbit, Garmin, Apple, Galaxy | 1, 3; 4 | Usually connected to a smartphone. Can track GPS when outdoors; can be connected to a HR chest belt or other sensors; can have an integrated SIM card |
| Smart Rings | Oura Ring, Circular Ring, BodiMetrics CIRCUL Ring, Wellue O2 Ring | 3 | Works connected to a smartphone for tracking results | |
| Chips; Pendants; Wrist Scanners; SOS Buttons | Localized brands with country-specific availability, custom hospital/home systems | 1; 3 | Used predominantly in hospitals and closed environments to monitor movement and report emergencies. Similar to “safe zone” monitors (section 2.3.). SOS buttons can be used in home care as well | |
| Smart Shoes; Smart Clothing/E-Textiles | Xiaomi, Nike, Under Armour | 1; 3 | Technology under development | |
| Smart Glasses | Google Glass, Microsoft HoloLens, NuEyes | 1; 4 | Incorporating augmented reality. Some can work as smart blind glasses, see section 5 for more examples | |
| Smart Contact Lenses | Mojo Vision, Sony, Google | 1; 3; 4 | Technology under development. Can incorporate augmented reality or measure sugar levels (through eye fluids) | |
| 1.2. Smart Tools of Daily Living | Smart Spoons | Liftware, GYENNO Spoon | 1; 4 | Especially suitable for reducing hand tremors (e.g. in Parkinson’s disease) |
| Smart Mug and Bottle | Moikit Cuptime 2, HidrateSpark, Equa | 1; 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone for tracking results | |
| Automatic Drug Dispensers | Trisa Senior Care, MediPense | 3 | Can include remote adjustment and telemonitoring function | |
| Smart Thermometer and Thermometer Patch | iHealth, VAVA, TEMON, Motorola Care+ | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone app for tracking results. Patches can monitor temperature continuously | |
| Smart Glucometer | iHealth, FreeStyle Libre, Dario, BeatO, Accu-Chek, One Touch Verio Flex | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone app for tracking results | |
| Smart Tonometer and Oximeter | Biobeat, iHealth, Omron Evolv, Tesla | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone app for tracking results | |
| Smart Scale | Tanita, Omron, Garmin, Fitbit, Xiaomi | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone for tracking results | |
| Smart Canes, Walkers | WeWALK Cane | 1; 4 | Can be connected to an app which can send, e.g. GPS location, heart rate, and temperature readings to caregivers | |
| 2.1. Passive Technologies Monitoring the Environment | Motion Sensors | Most of the 2.1. technologies are offered in localized brands and systems | 1 | Can be used to turn on lights, adjust heatingetc |
| Remote Monitoring Systems, Video Cameras | 1; 3 | Most of the 2.1. technologies and devices can be used in combination with a central SMART hub/system described in section 3 | ||
| Door and Window Alert Sensors | 1; 3; 4 | |||
| Stove Sensors, Heat and Smoke Detectors, Air Quality Sensors | 1; 4 | |||
| Automatic Heating and Ventilation Sensors, Electricity Consumption Monitors | 1; 4 | |||
| 2.2. Passive technologies monitoring health | Smart Furniture | Early Sense, Anume System/Deeplab | 3 | Can monitor heart rate (incl. heart rate variability), respiratory rate, temperature, movement/presence in bed |
| Smart Toilet Bowls | Trueloo, Coprata, Casana | 3 | Able to detect dehydration, urinary tract infections; some also blood pressure, heart rate | |
| 2.3. Passive technologies monitoring behavior | Fall and Movement Detectors | EchoCare, Essence MDsense | 3 | Various systems using video, radio frequency, infrared or laser beams, pressure pads, etc. are available. Some advanced sensors can also detect stress or monitor sleep |
| “Safe Zone” Monitors | Localized brands with country-specific availability, custom hospital/home systems | 3 | Various technological solutions (e.g. RFID chips, GPS positioning, light barriers) are available | |
| 3. Complex SMART systems | SMART Home Hub and Connected Sensor Systems | Essence Care@Home, HiveHome, Amazon ALexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, LifePod | 1; 3 | Automated control, regulation, and reminders. Can be accessed via a connected device (smartphone, laptop). Can usually be connected to various sensors from section 2. Some devices can send alerts to caregivers |
| 4. Interactive Technologies | Voice-Operated Virtual Assistants | Apple Siri, Google Assistant, Amazon ALexa, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung Bixby | 1; 2; 4 | Can be accessed via smartphone or additional device |
| Interactive Tables | Interactive senTable, BRYM Table, GT Office Interactive Touch Table | 2; 4 | Developed specifically for seniors for neurocognitive rehabilitation and entertainment | |
| Virtual Reality | Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Neuro Rehab VR | 1; 2; 4 | Connected to a PC or TV with a specific software for VR experience. Specific rehabilitation software and programs are available | |
| Companion Robots | Elliq, BUDDY, Pepper, Furhat | 2; 4 | Can be connected to a tablet and provide more applications and programs | |
| 5. Assistive and Rehabilitation Devices | Assistive Listening Devices, Alerting Devices | ReSound, Widex Evoke, Amplifon, Neosensory Buzz | 1; 4 | Some devices can be integrated into a SMART Home system to react to, e.g. doorbell, smoke alarm, microwave |
| Smart Glasses for Vision Impairments | Ocram My Eye, NuEyes, Evision, AIRA, QD Laser Retissa | 1; 4 | Some devices allow the user to connect to a visual interpreter/support online in real time | |
| Smart Wheelchairs | Various prototypes (e.g. MIT Intelligent Wheelchair) | 1; 4 | Mostly under development by research teams | |
| Telehealth Monitoring Devices | TytoPro, BioBeat | 3; 4 | Often with clinician’s guidance. Results can be shared with clinicians |
| Category | Technology/Device | Specific examples* | Needs fulfilled | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1. Wearable Technologies | Smart Trackers and Watches | Fitbit, Garmin, Apple, Galaxy | 1, 3; 4 | Usually connected to a smartphone. Can track GPS when outdoors; can be connected to a HR chest belt or other sensors; can have an integrated SIM card |
| Smart Rings | Oura Ring, Circular Ring, BodiMetrics CIRCUL Ring, Wellue O2 Ring | 3 | Works connected to a smartphone for tracking results | |
| Chips; Pendants; Wrist Scanners; SOS Buttons | Localized brands with country-specific availability, custom hospital/home systems | 1; 3 | Used predominantly in hospitals and closed environments to monitor movement and report emergencies. Similar to “safe zone” monitors ( | |
| Smart Shoes; Smart Clothing/E-Textiles | Xiaomi, Nike, Under Armour | 1; 3 | Technology under development | |
| Smart Glasses | Google Glass, Microsoft HoloLens, NuEyes | 1; 4 | Incorporating augmented reality. Some can work as smart blind glasses, see section 5 for more examples | |
| Smart Contact Lenses | Mojo Vision, Sony, Google | 1; 3; 4 | Technology under development. Can incorporate augmented reality or measure sugar levels (through eye fluids) | |
| 1.2. Smart Tools of Daily Living | Smart Spoons | Liftware, GYENNO Spoon | 1; 4 | Especially suitable for reducing hand tremors (e.g. in Parkinson’s disease) |
| Smart Mug and Bottle | Moikit Cuptime 2, HidrateSpark, Equa | 1; 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone for tracking results | |
| Automatic Drug Dispensers | Trisa Senior Care, MediPense | 3 | Can include remote adjustment and telemonitoring function | |
| Smart Thermometer and Thermometer Patch | iHealth, VAVA, TEMON, Motorola Care+ | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone app for tracking results. Patches can monitor temperature continuously | |
| Smart Glucometer | iHealth, FreeStyle Libre, Dario, BeatO, Accu-Chek, One Touch Verio Flex | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone app for tracking results | |
| Smart Tonometer and Oximeter | Biobeat, iHealth, Omron Evolv, Tesla | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone app for tracking results | |
| Smart Scale | Tanita, Omron, Garmin, Fitbit, Xiaomi | 3 | Connected (wirelessly) to a smartphone for tracking results | |
| Smart Canes, Walkers | WeWALK Cane | 1; 4 | Can be connected to an app which can send, e.g. GPS location, heart rate, and temperature readings to caregivers | |
| 2.1. Passive Technologies Monitoring the Environment | Motion Sensors | Most of the 2.1. technologies are offered in localized brands and systems | 1 | Can be used to turn on lights, adjust heatingetc |
| Remote Monitoring Systems, Video Cameras | 1; 3 | Most of the 2.1. technologies and devices can be used in combination with a central SMART hub/system described in | ||
| Door and Window Alert Sensors | 1; 3; 4 | |||
| Stove Sensors, Heat and Smoke Detectors, Air Quality Sensors | 1; 4 | |||
| Automatic Heating and Ventilation Sensors, Electricity Consumption Monitors | 1; 4 | |||
| 2.2. Passive technologies monitoring health | Smart Furniture | Early Sense, Anume System/Deeplab | 3 | Can monitor heart rate (incl. heart rate variability), respiratory rate, temperature, movement/presence in bed |
| Smart Toilet Bowls | Trueloo, Coprata, Casana | 3 | Able to detect dehydration, urinary tract infections; some also blood pressure, heart rate | |
| 2.3. Passive technologies monitoring behavior | Fall and Movement Detectors | EchoCare, Essence MDsense | 3 | Various systems using video, radio frequency, infrared or laser beams, pressure pads, etc. are available. Some advanced sensors can also detect stress or monitor sleep |
| “Safe Zone” Monitors | Localized brands with country-specific availability, custom hospital/home systems | 3 | Various technological solutions (e.g. RFID chips, GPS positioning, light barriers) are available | |
| 3. Complex SMART systems | SMART Home Hub and Connected Sensor Systems | Essence Care@Home, HiveHome, Amazon ALexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, LifePod | 1; 3 | Automated control, regulation, and reminders. Can be accessed via a connected device (smartphone, laptop). Can usually be connected to various sensors from |
| 4. Interactive Technologies | Voice-Operated Virtual Assistants | Apple Siri, Google Assistant, Amazon ALexa, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung Bixby | 1; 2; 4 | Can be accessed via smartphone or additional device |
| Interactive Tables | Interactive senTable, BRYM Table, GT Office Interactive Touch Table | 2; 4 | Developed specifically for seniors for neurocognitive rehabilitation and entertainment | |
| Virtual Reality | Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR, Neuro Rehab VR | 1; 2; 4 | Connected to a PC or TV with a specific software for VR experience. Specific rehabilitation software and programs are available | |
| Companion Robots | Elliq, BUDDY, Pepper, Furhat | 2; 4 | Can be connected to a tablet and provide more applications and programs | |
| 5. Assistive and Rehabilitation Devices | Assistive Listening Devices, Alerting Devices | ReSound, Widex Evoke, Amplifon, Neosensory Buzz | 1; 4 | Some devices can be integrated into a SMART Home system to react to, e.g. doorbell, smoke alarm, microwave |
| Smart Glasses for Vision Impairments | Ocram My Eye, NuEyes, Evision, AIRA, QD Laser Retissa | 1; 4 | Some devices allow the user to connect to a visual interpreter/support online in real time | |
| Smart Wheelchairs | Various prototypes (e.g. MIT Intelligent Wheelchair) | 1; 4 | Mostly under development by research teams | |
| Telehealth Monitoring Devices | TytoPro, BioBeat | 3; 4 | Often with clinician’s guidance. Results can be shared with clinicians |
Note(s): *The list of specific examples is not exhaustive and provides several examples of such devices for the reader to look up and envision the technology
1 Everyday Practical Tasks
2 Social and Emotional Support/Entertainment
3 Health Monitoring/Managing
4 Compensatory Assistance/Rehabilitation
Source(s): Authors’ own creation