IBM Research and Cera Care Test AI and Lidar for Elder Care

Self-driving cars use advanced sensor and AI technology to navigate roads and avoid collisions. Can this same tech be used to help care for the elderly?

That’s what researchers aim to find out. Starting in May 2019 month, IBM Research and UK care start-up Cera Care will launch a six-month study to assess the potential of IBM AI and new generation sensor technology to help the elderly live in their own homes longer.

LiDAR works like radar, using pulsed laser light to create fine-grained, three-dimensional scans of objects and their context —ideal for guiding cars through dynamic driving environments. But according to our early tests, LiDAR also has the ability create a detailed picture of an elderly person’s daily routine in the context of their home. IBM’s Watson AI analyzes and learns from this data, helping to spot deviations in diet or mobility that could indicate a deterioration in a person’s physical or psychological condition. Because LiDAR doesn’t recognize personal characteristics such as faces, gender, age, or clothing, it could offer a unique combination of insight and privacy protection.