Booth Id:
EBED013
Category:
Embedded Systems
Year:
2023
Finalist Names:
Shrivastava, Shreshth (School: Eden Prairie High School)
Abstract:
As America ages, it's estimated that by 2024, nearly 45% of the country's population will be over
the age of 50. While retirement years may be filled with travel, hobbies, and time with family, it is
also traditionally a time of increasing healthcare needs and decreasing independence. COVID-
19 has challenged the congregate care model, making finding effective solutions for
independent senior living even more crucial.
The engineering goals of this project are to enhance the quality of life for seniors by expanding
the Wi-C.A.R.E. App to:
- Create a chatbot-like physical therapy tool,
- Develop voice modulation technology that engages with senior citizens, and
- Enhance the hand motion technology developed in Year 3.
These goals came to the forefront from a comprehensive secondary research analysis
conducted on senior adults and their caregivers, utilizing numerous scholarly articles as sources
of information. Specifically, the top priorities included a physical therapy guide to help with
mobility and physical well-being, emotional availability from the voices of loved ones to provide
comfort and support and assistance with home tasks to ensure a safe and comfortable living
environment.
I successfully achieved the project targets and developed three successful tools in accordance
with the engineering goals as part of a comprehensive solution for independent living. The next
steps will involve user testing in an assisted living setting under the oversight of a physical
therapist, setting the stage for an accessible and inexpensive tool for senior living.