A preliminary study of an intelligent grip force collector and service system for the elderly. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Shijian; Li, Wenjie; Wei, Mingya; Huang, Yichao
• Is Part Of: Advances in mechanical engineering. Volume 11:Number 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Aging -- intelligent -- grip force -- health monitoring -- service design; Mechanical engineering -- Periodicals; 621.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1687814019827084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-8132

Abstract

China has the most elderly people in the world, and home-based care is the best choice. Existing Chinese home smart health monitoring products and service systems for the elderly are relatively lacking. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies show that grip force has the potential to be a predictor of short-term and long-term mortality and morbidity. Better collection and investigation of elderly grip force can help achieve real-time monitoring of their physical condition and healthy aging. This research studied an intelligent grip force collector and service system for the elderly. First, shortcomings of existing grip force collectors were examined; user needs, product functions, and system requirements were summarized by researching 60 target users. Then, hand model data of the elderly were collected and exploratory adjustments were carried out for the hardware product design. Next, six target users were invited to test the interactive prototype; finally, the interface design of the service system was optimized and completed. The study incorporates consultation with rehabilitation doctors from a hospital in Hangzhou. The final product design makes combined software and hardware innovations, guiding self-health monitoring and management of the elderly, strengthening prevention of health risks, and improving user experience compared to that with existing products.