An Internet-of-Things (IoT) System Development and Implementation for Bathroom Safety Enhancement

Abstract

Statistics show that a bathroom is one of the most hazardous places especially for older people. Older people typically have greater difficulties with mobility and balance, making them more vulnerable to fall and slip injuries in a bathroom and causing serious health issues related to short and long-term well-being. Various components in a bathroom including shower, tub, floor, and toilet have been re-designed, and independently upgraded their ergonomics and safety aspects; however, the number of bathroom injuries remains consistently high in general. Internet-of-Things (IoT) is a new concept applicable to almost everywhere and man-made objects. Wireless sensors detect abnormalities and send data through the network. A large amount of data can be collected from multiple IoT systems and it can be utilized for a big data analysis. The big data may reveal a hidden positive outcome beyond the initially intended purposes. A few commercial IoT applications such as wearable health monitoring and intelligent transportation systems are available. Nevertheless, An IoT application for a bathroom is not currently known. Unlike other applications, bathrooms have some unique aspects such as privacy and wet environment. This paper presents a holistic conceptual approach of an Internet-of-Things (IoT) system development and implementation to enhance bathroom safety. The concept focuses on the application in a large nursing care facility as a pilot testing bed. Authors propose 1) sensor selection and application, 2) integration of a wireless sensor local network system, 3) design concept for IoT implementation, and 4) a big data analysis system model in this paper.

Recognition of Bathroom Activities in Older Adults Using Wearable Sensors: A Systematic Review and Recommendations

“…The other 39 papers used other types of sensors, among which audio recorders, video/image recorders, radar sensors, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope) attached to the object instead of the human body and environmental sensors. Audio recorders were used for detecting activities related to water flowing, e.g., washing hands [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], washing face [ 36 ], toileting [ 38 , 40 , 41 ] or bathing [ 40 ]. Video/image recorders were usually used for detecting washing hands [ 35 , 39 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], washing face [ 36 ] and dressing [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

“…IMU sensors were attached to the water pipe for detecting washing and bathing [ 52 ], on the robot for detecting dressing [ 46 ], and in the soap bar for hand washing [ 37 ]. Multiple environmental sensors were combined for detecting bathing/showering [ 34 , 36 , 40 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ], toileting [ 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ], dressing [ 45 , 58 , 71 , 72 ], general personal hygiene activity [ 54 , 61 ], washing hands [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], washing face [ 36 ] and grooming [ 58 , 70 ].…”

Pemantauan Jarak Jauh Menggunakan Mikrokontroler

“…Kamar mandi yang dipantau sudah dilengkapi dengan sistem otomasi yang hampir mengatur semua variabel kebutuhan dalam kamar mandi. [5] Penelitian Koo et al, (2016), menggunakan integrasi beberapa sensor dan aktuator. Setiap sensor memiliki tugas yang independen untuk berkerja sesuai dengan variabelnya.…”

“…Setiap sensor memiliki tugas yang independen untuk berkerja sesuai dengan variabelnya. [5] Semua aktuator bekerja dibawah algoritma pengendalian yang dikembangkan secara mandiri. Semua kesesuaian kerja ini menjadi sebuah sistem yang terbangun untuk menjalankan tujuan sebagai peningkat aspek keamanan dalam kamar mandi.…”

ITDS: An Intelligent Tissue Dispenser System

“…Undoubtedly, statistics have shown that many of injuries among elderly are first discovered from toilet and bathroom incidents. Thus, the authors [8] have presented a holistic conceptual approach of an IoT system development and implementation for bathroom safety enhancement. A typical sensor module consists of four (4) main components including power supply, sensor, actuator and communication port is designed.…”