ElderHomeHub HackerQueens

ElderHomeHub is a home-based smart assistant that help seniors manage daily needs using voice, simple touch buttons, without smartphones or complicated apps. ElderHomeHub-Smart Help, No Apps Required.

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Inspiration

We wanted to create a solution that allows elderly people to live more independently and safely, without struggling with complicated apps or smartphones. ElderHomeHub is inspired by the idea of a smart city concierge for seniors, bringing healthcare, groceries, food, transport, and daily reminders directly into their homes.

What it does

ElderHomeHub is a home-based smart assistant that helps seniors manage their daily needs using:

  • Voice commands
  • Large touchscreen buttons
  • Physical one-tap buttons

It enables:

  • Booking medical appointments
  • Ordering meals and groceries
  • Refilling medicines
  • Booking transport
  • Daily reminders and alerts
  • Quick video assistance for confusion or emergencies

All interactions are designed to be simple, intuitive, and accessible for seniors.

How we built it

  • Hardware: ESP32-S3-BOX-3, MPU-6050
  • Software: ESP-IDF, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js
    ### Hardware
  • ESP32-S3-BOX-3 (microcontroller with touchscreen and audio)
  • MPU-6050 (motion/gesture sensor)
  • Physical buttons for shortcuts/emergency

Languages

  • C / C++ (for ESP-IDF on ESP32-S3-BOX-3)
  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript (for web interface)
  • Node.js (backend simulation for mock APIs)

Frameworks

  • ESP-IDF (for ESP32 firmware development)
  • Responsive web design for touchscreen interface

APIs

  • Mock APIs simulating integrations with:
    • NTUC (grocery orders)
    • Grab (transport / delivery)
    • Healthcare booking
  • Future plan: real Smart Nation / Singpass / partner APIs

Cloud / Services

  • Node.js server running locally or on cloud for backend simulation
  • Optional: cloud storage or MQTT for syncing device data and notifications

  • Future plan: cloud-hosted AI voice assistant for multilingual support

  • Created a responsive web interface optimized for the ESP32-S3-BOX-3 screen, with large fonts and buttons for elderly users.

  • Integrated the web interface into the ESP32 device to create a seamless smart assistant experience.

Challenges we ran into

  • Integrating the web interface with the ESP32-S3-BOX-3 hardware was challenging.
  • Ensuring the UI was fully responsive and readable on a small device screen.
  • Making the interactions simple enough for seniors, balancing functionality with accessibility.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Successfully built a functional prototype that combines voice, touch, and physical buttons.
  • Created a fully responsive interface that fits the device screen and is easy for elderly users to navigate.
  • Learned to integrate hardware and web software in a practical IoT application.
  • Collaborated with brands like NTUC and Grab using mock APIs to simulate real-world service integrations.

What we learned

  • How to design senior-friendly interfaces with accessibility in mind.
  • The challenges and solutions for integrating web technology into microcontroller hardware.
  • The importance of simplicity in design for technology adoption by the elderly.

What's next

  • Add voice assistant support in all four official languages in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil.
  • Integrate with real healthcare, food, and delivery APIs for live services.
  • Explore additional accessibility features, like adjustable font sizes and audio prompts.
  • Expand to more home automation services, making ElderHomeHub a complete smart home companion for seniors.

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