LyfeSaver 4.0

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Inspiration

Life Alert requires a subscription to send help to a person. Additionally, you have to physically press the button for help. We wanted to create a project that would help detect a person falling or unconscious that would call for help- without that hassle of life alert.

What it does

LyfeSaver 4.0 detects a person falling through the connected body piece. The signal is recorded and sent to your phone via Bluetooth and a message is sent to your phone and directed to 911 for help.

How we built it

We built it using an arduino 101, and coded the arduino and send a signal to the android NRF connect app.

Challenges we ran into

We ran into a lot of problems as we both had trouble going through code since we didn't have a lot of prior experience. We had moments in which we asked "what comes next" and had to plan out how to send the signal and how to communicate from the arduino, to the phone, and vice versa. While most of our challenges were based on how to execute our plan, we went through them by brainstorming other methods of working out a signal.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We tried through this entire experience with no prior knowledge. This was our first Hackathon, and we were both total strangers before meeting each other over our interest in hardware. Our accomplishment of getting this far on the project with the little experience we had was amazing as it is, and to continue striving even after multiple moments of frustration was the biggest accomplishment.

What we learned

We learned that we always have to continue moving forward, even if the situation seems bleak. We also learned that even the most eccentric ideas can be useful in the development to the final product. We had many prototype ideas, and our final physical contribution still needs a lot more progress for future work.

What's next for LyfeSaver 4.0

We want to expand on this, but first we will need to gain knowledge on android app development and combine that with our hardware knowledge.

Built With

Submitted to

Technica 2016

Created by

I worked in the prototype development. We had three different plans we wanted to work on (1: machine guide that follows behind you, a pebble watch app, and finally, a wearable signal.). Additionally, I attended a hardware workshop and a SketchUp workshop to help with my presentation skills. I had a difficult time with explaining the concept behind our work, as we had to explain how the signal is sent through Bluetooth to the phone. I also helped with the formatting of the project by generating new ideas for how the signal is supposed to work. I helped with setting up variables for the signal detection as well.

Brea Purdie
We were inspired by this idea because there were many problems that could occur when people were unable to use LifeAlert. I really wanted to work with hardware since I had never worked with Ardunio before. I went to all 3 Hardware workshops, and could help code our ardunio to send a bluetooth signal, and when to send the signal (when somebody falls and has a big change in their accelerometer value). We were able to code the ardunio to read the acceleration of the person, and when a spike was detected to send to the phone app nfr connect via bluetooth. Once the signal is sent, a macro would activate in the nrf app causing the android phone to send a call to 911 or call for help. I couldn`t figure out how the macro would activate but I did have an idea how to program it to call. We had a great time learning this, and I enjoyed applying my new hardware skills to this project.

Aditi Shukla

Updates

Brea Purdie started this project — Nov 06, 2016 11:02 AM EST

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