Semtech Corporation and iWOW Technology Ltd have collaborated to enhance the safety of elderly residents in Singapore through a reliable wireless emergency alert system. This initiative leverages advanced LoRaWAN® technology to ensure continuous monitoring and swift emergency response for seniors. Beyond mere safety, this system integrates seamlessly into daily living, providing peace of mind to both residents and their families.
Since its deployment in 2019, the LoRaWAN®-based emergency alert system has been successfully installed in 10,000 public housing flats, demonstrating remarkable longevity with 98% of devices still operational after five years. This sustained performance highlights the system’s efficiency and the durability of the technology chosen for such critical applications.
How Does the Emergency System Function?
The system features a wall-mounted, battery-powered red button placed strategically within each flat. When activated, it connects the resident directly to a 24-hour response center and alerts their next of kin through a dedicated app. This ensures that help is available immediately without draining the battery or requiring ongoing maintenance.
What Impact Has the System Had on Seniors?
Approximately 800 seniors have utilized the system to receive emergency medical assistance, underscoring its effectiveness in real-life scenarios. The ease of use and reliability have made it a trusted tool for enhancing independent living among the elderly population.
What Are the Future Plans for the Emergency System?
The Ministry of Health’s Age Well SG program plans to expand the system to an additional 27,000 seniors across about 170 public rental housing blocks. This expansion aims to further improve living conditions and ensure that more elderly residents have access to immediate emergency support.
The decision to use LoRa and LoRaWAN was driven by the need for a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution that could support dense housing environments.
“Based on government program requirements, these emergency devices had to be battery-powered, require minimal maintenance and consume little energy,”
explained JY Chen, senior vice president at iWOW Technology.
“The network infrastructure also had to be cost-effective for the dense housing blocks. Using LoRa and LoRaWAN was the clear choice, especially with its capacity to support other IoT applications in the future.”
The system’s success over the past five years sets a benchmark for similar initiatives worldwide. It highlights the importance of sustainable technology solutions in elder care and the potential for IoT applications to significantly improve the quality of life for aging populations.
- LoRaWAN® system deployed in 10,000 flats since 2019.
- 98% device functionality after five years ensures reliability.
- Plans to expand service to 27,000 more seniors.
