Firefighters' positioning system may be used to monitor walking difficulty for elderly
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 - 09:30
in Physics & Chemistry
A positioning system adapted for use in fire rescue operations will soon be tested on senior citizens in Sweden as a way to spot signs of early stage Parkinson's disease and other mobility problems. Inside the heel of a boot, advanced sensors make it possible for emergency operations commanders to follow smoke divers' exact movements in any building — even 25 metres below ground. The system, which includes an accelerometer and gyroscope, plus a processor, can withstand shock and high temperatures and remains operational where GPS positioning systems fail.