"Executive Summary
In the heart of a city that never sleeps- Hong Kong, a silent challenge creeps among its ageing alleys – the safety of its elderly citizens. Waveguard is proposed with a promise of a revolutionary leap for caring elderly's safety.
The elderly citizens in Hong Kong often suffer from falls and health crises that go unnoticed, especially those living alone and others with chronic conditions. Due to the rapidly swelling senior population, the need for a solution to prevent and respond expeditiously to emergencies has intensified. To tackle this issue, Waveguard offers a non-invasive, privacy-conscious monitoring system, powered by mmWave technology and AI. It detects falls and health emergencies, and alerts medical personnel and families much faster, potentially saving lives by quickening response times.
 As a team of undergraduate engineering students at PolyU, our diverse talents range from AI expertise to forefront hardware development. We are preparing to execute Waveguard, applying our collective know-how to develop an actual life-saving product. In this essential mission, we invite the ELC Fund to join us. It is your support that can help catalyze the transformation of eldercare safety and turn the Waveguard into a palpable guardian for Hong Kong’s elderly so that together, we can build a future where every senior resident is but a heartbeat away from the help they may need.
 
Introduction
In Hong Kong, the number of people over the age of 65 has exceeded 1.45 million in 2021 [1]. Elderly safety becomes a great concern during such demographic shifts. According to the Department of Health’s Unintentional Injury Survey 2018, 39.4% of unintentional injuries belong to falls among the elderly [2], being the most common issue. These elderly frequently live alone, so an accident could leave them incapacitated for quite some time before anyone finds them. As a result, there is a need for quick discovery. In addition, about 70% of this age group suffer from one or more chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension [3], which require ongoing health checks. 

These facts lead to dire consequences including longer hospital stays, less quality of life, and more economic burden on families and the healthcare system. Therefore, intervention in the elderly-care sector must be as early as possible, so that we can continue to honour both our life considerations as well as our compassionate treatment of the elderly. Waveguard can detect motion and vital signs in such a way as to avoid loss of privacy and not compromise accuracy. It can also be combined with a communications system that alerts carers or family members in an emergency. Waveguard is designed to reduce the time that it takes for carers to assist the solitary elderly once elderly accident occur, thereby reducing the severity of the injury from falls and speeding out the response to medical emergencies.

Goal and Objectives
Goal
To improve the quality of life and physical health of solitary elderly individuals by protecting them from daily risks through the support of “Waveguard,” an advanced detection system designed for safety care.

Objectives
Users will be able to
•	monitor the motions and different vital signs of them/ their elderly family who live alone remotely through the real-time millimeter wave (mmWave) based system and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms
•	gain timely medical support by notifying the medical personnel/their family through the wireless communication speaker system

Current Situation
As Hong Kong’s senior population expands, critical societal concerns arise due to the shifting demography. The number of elderly individuals is projected to jump from 1.45 million in 2021 to 2.74 million by 2046, representing an increase from 20.5% to 36% of the population. This demographic transition means that more than one in three residents in Hong Kong will be of advanced age [4]. 

Elderly adults are frequently affected by chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. It is estimated that roughly 70% of the elderly population in Hong Kong battles these long-term ailments [2]. When living independently, consistent access to medical care can be challenging. Additionally, falls pose a significant risk for seniors, which can hinder their ability to live autonomously and may lead to graver injuries like fractures.

Consequently, as the number of seniors rises, the demand for medical services intensifies, straining the healthcare system. This bottleneck effect can result in extended wait times for assistance and can divert resources from other areas of need. The Hospital Authority reports that the average waiting time in emergency rooms frequently exceeds 2 hours, with some districts observing wait times of over 7 hours [5]. This indicates a critical shortfall in medical resources and personnel, with insufficient capacity to attend to elderly care. 

















Product Comparison: Waveguard vs Wireless PEL and Assurelink
 
Feature	Wireless PEL	Assurelink	Waveguard
Safety Monitoring Capabilities	Limited; requires manual panic button press [6].	Specific details on alert mechanisms are not provided.	AI-driven; automatic fall and vital sign detection
Health Monitoring Features	Not included; focuses on emergency alerting [6].	Details on health monitoring are not outlined, [7]
suggesting possible limited or no capabilities in this area.	Continuous tracking of respiration and heart rate, enabling proactive health management.


Robustness in Different Environments	Stable in any environment [6].	Sensors will be affected by environmental conditions [8], which could impact performance.	Robust in various conditions; minimizes false alerts
Emergency Response Efficiency	Requires the user to manually press a button [6], which not be possible in all emergency situations.	Relies on user activation or sensor detection, [7] which could lead to delays if not promptly triggered.	Provides immediate automated alerts for abnormal events, significantly reducing the response time
This table clearly provides a detailed comparison that highlights the features and functionalities of Wireless PEL and Assurelink, as well as our product, Waveguard. It demonstrates that Waveguard’s advanced technology and comprehensive approach are pivotal for elderly safety and health monitoring. Overall, with its cutting-edge artificial intelligence and mmWave technology coupled with high emergency response efficiency, Waveguard stands out as a superior solution for ensuring the safety and well-being of seniors living alone.




Product Overview
Waveguard is an innovative health monitoring solution designed for the safety and well-being of the elderly living alone. This overview outlines the product’s design, functionality, and key components.
 
Figure 1. Appearance of Waveguard	
Specification

• Height: Approximately 3 cm. 
• Length: Approximately 10 cm. 
• Width: Approximately 10 cm.

Description: 
• Compact Design: Fits discreetly into home settings.
• Advanced Tech: Utilizes mmWave sensors and AI for accurate health monitoring.
• Non-Invasive: Monitors vitals and physical conditions gently.
•  Prompt Support: Ensures quick assistance for users.
• Peace of Mind: Provides reassurance to users and caregivers.
 
Figure 2. Advanced millimeter Wave (mmWave) Sensor	
Description: 
• Integrated mmWave Sensor: Core to Waveguard’s monitoring capabilities.
• Frequency Range: Operates from 24 GHz to 300 GHz for high sensitivity [9].
• Detects Minute Movements: Can sense movements through walls and obstructions.
• Non-Contact Monitoring: Allows for the tracking of vital signs and movement without direct contact.
 
Figure 3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)	
Description: 
• CPU Composition: Utilizes microcontrollers or FPGAs for processing.
• Optimized for Speed: Designed for high-speed signal processing.
• Real-Time Data Processing: Analyzes data as it's captured.
• Health Indicator Extraction: Applies signal processing to derive health metrics from mmWave sensor data.
  Figure 4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Algorithms	
Description: 
• AI Algorithms Role: Interprets data from mmWave sensor.
• Pattern Identification: Recognizes normal and irregular activities.
• Detects Health Anomalies: Identifies unusual heart rates and breathing patterns.
• Fall Detection: Recognizes incidents such as falls.
• Instant Monitoring: Allows for real-time health tracking.
• Quick Emergency Response: Ensures prompt action in case of health emergencies.
 
Figure 5. Wireless Communication System	
Description: 
• Seamless Connectivity: Links Waveguard with external devices and services.
• Device Integration: Connects to caregivers' smartphones and emergency services.
• Timely Alerts: Delivers immediate notifications and updates.
• Enhanced Safety Net: Strengthens protection for the elderly.



































Technical Description
The system architecture, depicted in Figure 7, integrates a series of state-of-the-art components and technologies that operate synergistically. 

 
Figure 7. Waveguard system overview

Millimeter Wave Sensing Technology
Waveguard employs millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology for non-invasive surveillance, vital for the safety of elderly individuals living alone. The mmWave radar tracks subtle movements by sending out a wave and analyzing its reflection from people or objects [10]. The data is converted into point clouds, simplistic models that pinpoint the location of a person or object within a space. Additionally, the radar gathers Doppler velocity data to assess the speed and direction of any movement, another layer for discerning unusual activity patterns. This technology functions effectively through barriers and without light, maintaining privacy since it does not generate any images of individuals.

AI-Driven Fall Detection
Underpinning Waveguard is its artificial intelligence engine. It uses a type of deep learning called Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks [11]. These networks are specially designed to learn sequence-like data, such as regular movements and behaviours. Then, it can recognize anomalous events – for example, when a person falls. The LSTM networks process the mmWave sensor data, then assist in fall detection, and then continuously screen vital signs to track the status of the elderly in real time.

Real-time Communication and Notification System
After recognizing the fall, a signal is sent to a central server through various networks such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi. This is where it records the fall and starts an alert process. The system notifies caregivers or family members using a dedicated app. There is also an onboard speaker system that provides a direct line between the elderly and them when urgent situations arise, thus enhancing quick action to deal with such events.

Mobile Application
The mobile app plays an essential role. It will send immediate notifications if there is an abnormal motion or change in life signs. These notifications are sent to caregivers via their smartphones just like the way one receives a text message or an app notification. The alerts are created in such a way they show urgency so that critical messages can be separated easily.



















Benefits
Saving Lives
The Waveguard is a new safety net that could save many lives. Our statistical model shows that it will save about 500 lives per year in Hong Kong. By providing immediate detection of falls and quick communication, it offers a lifeline during critical moments of crisis on time. This direct alert to caregivers and medical personnel has greatly reduced the chances of unnoticed accidents. Therefore, Waveguard is a great saver of life, especially for the solitary elderly.

Improved Health Quality
Waveguard ensures the elderly's healthy by providing them with real-time information about their health performance. It monitors indispensable parameters and detects abnormalities in real-time so that medical intervention can be applied at early stages. This watchful supervision motivates old people to control their own ailments actively, and in this way, they will be able to keep their level of autonomy, self-confidence, and good health in a complex system that sustains these values, which include dignity and welfare.

Cost-Effective and Efficient Care
Early estimates have Waveguard the technology slashing over HK$50 million in annual healthcare costs by preventing hospital admissions and reducing emergency services. Average hospital stays of elderly will shorten as well, since the system helps prevent falls and respond sooner to critical events. It not only translates to less worry and work for staff, but a leaner, more efficient healthcare environment overall. This cost leverage heightens Waveguard's social value as a pioneering, cost-contained answer to the challenges of high-impact elderly care.









Project Team

Sherman Hon, Research Engineer 
Sherman Hon is a crucial member of the Waveguard project. He has accumulated one year of research experience at the AI Lab Hong Kong in which he devised an outstanding machine learning model. His competencies such as data analysis, progressive AI algorithm development and mathematics that are paired with the millimeter wave system and AI algorithms, are essential for Waveguard. Sherman's role comprises tweaking AI systems that can separate the common actions and crises as shown in the section of Technical Description. His expertise in developing complex systems is what makes Waveguard’s non-invasive, precise monitoring and fast response, as well as conform to our aim for elderly care safety and efficiency to be improved as a whole.
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I am Sherman Hon, why I am passionate about this project ?