Research on Indoor Spatial Behavior Perception IoT Smart System for Solitary Elderly at Home

Abstract

This research aims at contributing to a seamless, integrated technology intelligent living system for solitary older adults at home. The capacitive intimate sensing module, that can be easily pasted to the existing home space element surfaces, daily objects, or home furniture, such as a wall, door, stairs, a chair, cabinet, table, sofa, etc, is developed in this research. This 30 × 30 cm sensing module can actively sense people’s physical behaviors and body movements in spaces. The signals acquired from the sensing modules in indoor spaces will then integrate into the controller system through the IoT application and logically define the behavior classification. From the preliminary analysis of observing the 80-year-old elderly subject’s daily activities, the movement trajectory of the ‘Move–Stop’ pattern is found. There will be a touch (T) and a touchless (TL) relationship between the body and the space elements or objects. The touchless or non-contact intimate relationship also can be divided into two types: 1. the body ‘Passes by’ (P) the spatial elements or objects, and 2. the body ‘Stays’ (S) in front of the object and performs activities. This research pasted eight sensing modules on nine objects in six spaces. Finally, the specific actions and life pattern can be recognized and analyzed through the developed IoT spatial behavior smart system and provide the customized intelligent application function for the elderly.