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A researcher from the University of Nottingham Trent, in England, has developed a prototype of a smart sock, capable of alerting to a potential risk of falling. Intended for the elderly, this device is supposed to warn doctors before their patient is hurt.
This “smart” sock was created by experts in electronic textiles (e-textiles) at Nottingham Trent University. It is in fact a prototype oversock capable of detecting the risk of falling, with an accuracy of more than 94% according to its designers.
The idea here is to assess the risk of falling in the elderly by studying the data recorded, day after day. For this, the oversock is equipped with a movement sensor placed at ankle level. Connected by Bluetooth to a smartphone, it communicates in real time the slightest anomalies in the movement of the person wearing it. This prototype would thus be able to anticipate slips and other stumbles prefiguring a more or less serious fall. Note that everything is perfectly washable, like any ordinary sock.
Based on the data received, an algorithm identifies any unusual movement. In fact, by studying this data, it will be possible for any doctor to see if a person has recently lost his balance once or several times. In the event of a proven fall, an alert will be immediately launched to emergency personnel. It must be said that the consequences can sometimes be disastrous for pursuing an independent life after a hip fracture, for example.