School of Science and Technology 科技學院
Computing Programmes 電腦學系

Man-ager: a device for the Well-Being of the elderly

Chow Tak Ching, Kwan Hoi Ling and So Long Hei

  
ProgrammeBachelor of Science with Honours in Internet Technology
SupervisorDr. Vanessa Ng
AreasSmart Living
Year of Completion2016
Award ReceivedGrand Prize, Collegiate Competition of Educational Technology 2016

 

Objectives

The aim of this project is to investigate IT solutions to relief the consequence caused by geriatrics by using new technologies. Although there are some existing tools that support the elderly's daily life, it still cannot provide all-rounded caring services. They are inconvenient to the patients and their family members, even causing serious consequences such as Overmedication. Therefore, this project will focus on how to apply different terms of expression to help the elderly suffered from the geriatrics diseases to adapt their daily lives.

To achieve the aim, the main objective of the project is to develop a tool for elderly that can schedule a timetable to remind them what time to take medicine and provide healthcare information to the user. The project has defined a number of sub-objectives as follows:

  • Design a platform called “Information Center”
  • Design a platform called “Private Assistant”
  • Design a platform called “Rehabilitation exercise”

Background and Methodology

There is three parts in the applications, each of them provide different functions and services to the users, it shows as below:

In the above diagram, you will see here is an overview of our application design, it divides into three parts, named Information Center, Private Assistant and Rehabilitation Exercise respectively. This application combining the usage of Windows platform and Android platform. The Information Center and Rehabilitation Exercise were designed and developed based on the Windows platform with Unity5. Inserting the Virtual Reality technology, let the user have a feeling to place inside a virtual world. And the Private Assistant was Android-based application with the support of the Unity5. Together with the Vuforia development platform to achieve the usage of Augmented Reality on the QR scanning features.

A Main Index page for switching the platform between Information Center and Rehabilitation Exercises will be shown as a Virtual Menu.

360 degrees' picture with real-time recorded sound for Nam Sang Wai- Forest.

A video catalog also included which the user to do some exercises which provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department- Health Exercise for All campaign. We have provided exercises videos for both which can sit on a chair or just by standing. Also, some aerobics exercises are included. Users can follow the guide from the coach (we have invited Mr Li, a student helper act as the coach).

Scanning of the medicine aims to let the user scan the corresponding QR code that previously prepared. After scanning the QR code, a dialog box will then be appeared with the related information of that particular drug. Also the information will also be translated as voice message and spoken out.

After switching to the platform of Rehabilitation Exercises. An Index page for choosing different exercising game with the similar method as the main index page.

Maze challenge: It also aims to provide some exercise to train or strengthen the user to identify the direction. Not be confused and try to find out the exit. It is more suitable for the patient who lack of cognitive ability due to the symptom of dementia.

Evaluation

The prototype system is tested based on the principle of User acceptance test, Integration and functional test and performance test. As stated in the Chapter 3 Section 4- Evaluation Plan. User Acceptance test: How many user requirements fulfilled in the prototype system?

Integration and functional test: How would you rate the functions provide by the system?

Performance Test: What do you feel about the smoothness during the running process?

Based on the above principle, we conclude our finding based on the feedbacks and comments received from the questionnaires and the interview:

Conclusion and Future Development

To conclude the whole project, starting from 18 September, 2015 until 31 May 31, 2016, from project planning to the prototype design, including the implementation and testing. We first start the user requirement collection, we discovered that the consequences brought by the increasing aging population, leads to high demand on the health care services and tools due to geriatrics, diseases that mostly occur in elderly group. But in fact, not all the elderly can be supported because of the high price, not all of them can afford such an expenses. And also, due to the fast moving, rapid growth of production society, people required to work for long time to earn their own life. It becomes harder for them to working and act as caregivers in the same time. So, it is urgent for them to find a cheaper and effective solution.

Suggestion of the future works

  • A better UI design with more notice and easier to use. For example, trying to fewer the input field in the prescription and consultation form which are required the manually input. And increase the accuracy of the crosshair in the VR platform
  • Finding some methods to combine the VR with memory game to prevent excessive head movement and create more variety of rehabilitation exercises for more types of geriatrics and include more different type of health care information

Copyright Chow Tak Ching, Kwan Hoi Ling, So Long Hei and Vanessa Ng 2016

Jonathan Chiu
Marketing Director
3DP Technology Limited

Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.

Krutz Cheuk
Biomedical Engineer
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.

Hugo Leung
Software and Hardware Engineer
Innovation Team Company Limited

Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.

The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.

Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.

Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.

Course Code Title Credits
  COMP S321F Advanced Database and Data Warehousing 5
  COMP S333F Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms 5
  COMP S351F Software Project Management 5
  COMP S362F Concurrent and Network Programming 5
  COMP S363F Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing 5
  COMP S382F Data Mining and Analytics 5
  COMP S390F Creative Programming for Games 5
  COMP S492F Machine Learning 5
  ELEC S305F Computer Networking 5
  ELEC S348F IOT Security 5
  ELEC S371F Digital Forensics 5
  ELEC S431F Blockchain Technologies 5
  ELEC S425F Computer and Network Security 5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 ELEC S201FBasic Electronics5
 IT S290FHuman Computer Interaction & User Experience Design5
 STAT S251FStatistical Data Analysis5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 COMPS333FAdvanced Programming and AI Algorithms5
 COMPS362FConcurrent and Network Programming5
 COMPS363FDistributed Systems and Parallel Computing5
 COMPS380FWeb Applications: Design and Development5
 COMPS381FServer-side Technologies and Cloud Computing5
 COMPS382FData Mining and Analytics5
 COMPS390FCreative Programming for Games5
 COMPS413FApplication Design and Development for Mobile Devices5
 COMPS492FMachine Learning5
 ELECS305FComputer Networking5
 ELECS363FAdvanced Computer Design5
 ELECS425FComputer and Network Security5