An AltumView Case Study
AltumView created a privacy-preserving smart activity sensor that employs AI technology to monitor the whereabouts of individuals within their homes.
Background Information
- According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), an astonishing 91% of Canadians across all generations would prefer to stay in their homes as they get older.
- The goal of ageing safely at home has been a consistent sentiment for the past decade among adults over 65 years of age.
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Approximately 23% of seniors in Canada live in rural areas and small towns. This demographic trend is significant as it underscores the need for tailored healthcare services, including Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), to support the aging population in these regions.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians, with 20-30% of seniors experiencing one or more falls each year. Half of all falls resulting in hospitalization occur at home. Falls account for 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, 95% of all hip fractures, and $2 billion a year in direct healthcare costs.
- To prevent possible injuries, reduce the risk of falling, maximize independence, and ultimately enhance aging in place for a loved one, it is paramount for families and aging adults to incorporate home care services into their lives.
- According to a survey conducted by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in 2020-21, 32% of Canadians were extremely concerned about the protection of their privacy. This concern extends to the use of digital health technologies, including Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM).
The Solution
Sentinaire
AltumView’s application only displays people as stick figures allowing families and care providers to monitor aging adults while in their bedrooms and bathrooms, where an otherwise undetected accident is more likely to occur.
While safeguarding privacy of patients and caregivers, AltumView’s sensors can also protect the wellbeing and safety of older adults, while providing peace of mind to the families.
Our Partnership
In partnership with Circle Innovation, AltumView ramping up adoption of its privacy-preserving technology across Canada and globally.
Circle Innovation worked with Altumview’s team to develop further enhancements to accelerate the commercialization of AltumView’s core technology. Altumview already had an agreement with Amazon to endorse the use of AltumView’s Sentinare as one of only three fall detection devices for its Alexa Together emergency service, and Sentinare has received the best review among the three devices. In addition to the US and Canada, AltumView’s Sentinare has also made its way to Australia, Italy, China, Korea, and Japan. This project further developed key AI-enabled features of movement and activity detection, ensuring further adoption globally.
Media Gallery
AltumView’s unique privacy preserving AI-enabled monitoring for seniors at home now detects specific activities
Partnership Outcomes
Through Circle Innovation’s Healthtech SME Program, AltumView received co-funding support to keep costs associated with phased trials and data generation manageable and ensure achieving required levels of performance.
Through Circle’s LiFE Program (envisAGE), AltumView will collaborate closely with long-term care homes and private homes, where they can demonstrate and implement Sentinare.
AltumView benefitted from working with Circle for the development and strategic implementation of a B2B strategic framework, identifying and engaging companies invested in trialing Sentinare 3, AltumView’s third-generation smart activity sensor launched in July 2023.
Altumview is 1 of the 5 Canadian companies for the Canada-UK AgeTech Innovation Exchange Program
Key Results
Still being monitored, the 2 phase project under CIHS with Altumview is expected to generate key economic benefits.
4
New HQP jobs generated
$300,000
New annual revenues generated
2
New capabilities launched to market
$5M
Investment attracted
About Partner
AltumView, an AI company founded in 2016 in Vancouver by Prof. Jie Liang of Simon Fraser University, specializes in senior care solutions. The company developed the Sentinare smart activity sensor, which uses AI to monitor seniors’ activities, collect health data, and alert caregivers during emergencies, all while preserving privacy by transmitting stick figure animations instead of video. Recognized as a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree, AltumView’s sensor is also featured in Amazon’s Alexa Together emergency service for seniors. The company serves customers globally, including in Japan, China, and Hong Kong, and aims to scale up its sales to reinforce its leadership in smart sensor care.
