Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 34
well-drafted scientific contributions. To be more effective, in
the remaining part of this paper, we would like to highlight the
main needs to be fulfilled by AT and their strong connection to
enabling technologies, with regards to the key role of the instrumentation and measurement framework.
Three key areas have been identified which may seriously
affect the life quality of older people:
◗◗ slips, trips, and falls;
◗◗ bad habits (e.g., poor nutrition and hydration, low physical activity); and
◗◗ depression and isolation.
These conditions are strictly connected to Activities of
Daily Living (ADLs), which are a wide set of actions characterizing the habits of people, especially in their living places.
Actions such as user mobility, drinking and eating, stair negotiation, sitting and standing up, lying down, and physical
activity are few examples of ADLs.
The use of reliable assistive technology for the monitoring of
ADLs can produce a lot of information useful both to assess
the health status of end-users and to provide effective assistance. Questions related to the reliability of AT, as well as the
user confidence and trust in AAL technology are very well addressed in [10].
A major and challenging task of AT is related to the detection and prevention of falls, one of the main causes of serious
trauma among elderly people [11]. Around 33% of people over
65 and 50% of those over 80 fall at least once a year. The impact
of even a minor fall could be serious, and the fear of falling
again can really compromise the user's independence.
Several approaches have been proposed to monitor ADLs
and falls: from fall alert systems to fall risk assessment and
prevention solutions [12]. These solutions are either based
on wearable devices (customized or smartphone-based), exploiting inertial sensors, or on environmental systems (such
as ultrasound sensors or cameras). An extensive review of fall
detection systems, including comparisons among different approaches, is available in [13].
Reliability is one of the main considerations for a fall detector. A robust fall detector is one that classifies falls as falls and
non-falls as non-falls, even under real-life conditions. Basically, a reliable system should not provide False Negatives (if a fall event
occurs and the system does not detect it; in this case, the consequences can be dramatic) or False Positives (the system reports
many false falls; caregivers and users may lose confidence
and trust on the system). To develop reliable fall detectors,
dedicated signal processing has been proposed, exploiting
correlation-based classification paradigms or machine learning approaches [11], [13].
The activity rate of end-users is another important parameter to be monitored, in order to assess the quality and quantity
of body movement. To such aim, wearable devices embedding
inertial sensors can be used to measure physical activity, and,
in the case of indoor applications, environmental sensors (cameras or RF-ID systems) represent a convenient solution [8], [14].
Poor nutrition and hydration is another crucial issue to be
carefully addressed, since this may cause physical decline and
34
a higher risk of falls. The main cause, which is the decreased
appetite and a reduced sensation of thirst, affects around 23%
of older people.
Solutions for the appropriate monitoring of nutrition and
hydration can be classified in reminder systems, such as Apps
and devices that remind the user to eat or drink and solutions
for the early detection of malnutrition risks. Examples of the
latter category are:
◗◗ weight sensors, which could be integrated into the floor
or placed under a bed to automatically track the user's
weight;
◗◗ toilets instrumented with dedicated sensors, which can
be used to examine urine;
◗◗ food and drink intake monitoring systems associated
with the kettle, refrigerator, and other kitchen appliances, that are equipped with sensors and smart meters.
Moreover, fluid intake can be monitored by using devices
tracking the fluid quantity inside a bottle.
A restricted lifestyle (due to reduced physical activity, compromised health status, or fear of mobility and falling), may
lead to depression, which is one of the main important health
issues affecting older people, causing physical and cognitive
issues as well as a reduced environmental interaction and social isolation. It seems that 3-4% of people over 65 suffer from
depression, being even worse in the case of people living in
care centers.
Technical Objectives of Assistive Technologies
Summarizing, the following Technical Objectives of Assistive
Technologies can be identified:
The development of solutions for user (body) monitoring, which
includes:
◗◗ devices for the measurement of the physical and biophysical
parameters;
◗◗ (Automatic) smart alerting systems; and
◗◗ architectures for remote assistance and telemedicine.
Bringing innovation in buildings, through:
◗◗ the integration of user-friendly (accessible and integrated)
interfaces;
◗◗ smart-instrumented environments fulfilling special needs of
end-users; and
◗◗ fostering the integration of innovative technology with preexisting infrastructures.
Assistive Technology and the
"Instrumentation and Measurement
Framework"
The literature review clearly highlights the main Enabling
Technologies that allow the development of reliable and effective assistive solutions, such as:
◗◗ Sensing Methodology
◗◗ Smart and Wearable Sensing systems
◗◗ Ubiquitous sensing
◗◗ Conditioning Electronics
◗◗ Internet of Things, and
◗◗ Advanced signal processing
IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine
June 2020
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4
No label
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - No label
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - Cover2
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 1
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 2
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 3
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 4
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 5
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 6
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 7
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 8
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 9
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 10
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 11
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 12
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 13
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 14
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 15
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 16
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 17
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 18
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 19
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 20
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 21
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 22
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 23
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 24
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 25
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 26
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 27
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 28
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 29
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 30
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 31
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 32
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 33
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 34
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 35
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 36
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 37
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 38
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 39
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 40
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 41
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 42
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 43
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 44
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 45
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 46
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 47
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 48
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 49
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 50
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 51
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 52
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 53
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 54
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 55
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 56
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 57
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 58
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 59
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 60
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 61
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 62
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 63
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 64
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 65
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 66
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 67
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 68
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 69
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 70
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 71
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 72
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 73
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 74
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 75
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 76
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 77
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 78
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 79
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 80
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 81
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 82
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 83
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 84
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 85
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 86
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 87
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 88
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 89
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 90
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 91
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 92
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 93
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 94
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 95
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 96
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 97
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 98
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 99
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - 100
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - Cover3
Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 23-4 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/26-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/26-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/26-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/26-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/26-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/26-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/instrumentation-measurement-magazine-25-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/25-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-7
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/24-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-9
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-8
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-6
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-5
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/iamm/23-4
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com