Progress in ambient assisted systems for independent living by the elderly

Al-Shaqi, Riyad; Mourshed, Monjur; Rezgui, Yacine

doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2272-8

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Table 1 AALS sensor characteristics and cost

From: Progress in ambient assisted systems for independent living by the elderly

Sensor	Usage	Signal type	References	Device cost^a (US$)	Installation	Comment	Noise
Magnetic switch	Detect the opening of doors, windows, cabinets, etc.	Binary	Virone et al. (2008))	5.00 ± 0.75	Easy	High operational reliability. Maintenance free.	No
Temperature sensor	Detect ambient or water temperature	Continuous	Rowe et al. (2007), Virone et al. (2008)	9.00 ± 2.00	Moderately difficult	Normal operational reliability. May need frequent calibration.	No
Photosensor	Detect illuminance level	Continuous	Rowe et al. (2007), Muñoz et al. (2011)	5.00 ± 1.25	Moderately difficult	Location and orientation dependent	No
Pressure pad	Measure applied pressure at surfaces	Continuous	Virone et al. (2008), Muñoz et al. (2011)	25.00 ± 5.00	Difficult	Need frequent calibration.	Almost no noise
Water flow sensor	Measure flow in taps and showers	Continuous	Gaddam et al. (2010)	24.00 ± 3.00	Easy	Need frequent maintenance.	No
Infrared motion sensor	Detect motion or movement	Binary	Rowe et al. (2007), Virone et al. (2008), Muñoz et al. (2011)	35.00 ± 2.00	Moderately difficult	Normal operational reliability. May need frequent calibration.	No
Home electric appliances	Send signals when user turns equipment on/off	Binary	Rowe et al. (2007)	30.00 ± 5.00	Easy	Need frequent maintenance.	Almost no noise
Power/current sensor	Send numeric numbers according to electricity usage	Continuous	ONS (2008)	120.00 ± 3.00	Difficult	Needs professional installation and maintenance.	No
Force sensor	Detect movement and falls	Continuous	Kidd et al. (1999)	33.00 ± 5.00	Difficult	Need high adjustment	Yes
Smoke/heat sensor	Detect smoke or fire	Binary	Mitseva et al. (2009)	18.00 ± 6.00	Easy	Needs proper installation.	Yes
Biosensor	Monitoring human vital-signs	Continuous	Lie et al. (2011), Ichapurapu et al. (2009)	180.00 ± 5.00	Difficult	Need professional adjustment	No

^aIndicative cost data, as of January 2015—collected by the authors from various US suppliers. Cost vary according to measurement accuracy, technology, device packaging and number of units

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