Analyzing Data from Sensors and Smart Environments to Monitor Mobility and Cognition

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As the aging population grows, sensor-driven technologies are being sought to support older adults in their quest to maintain their health, quality-of-life, and independence. With increasing age, comes the challenge of maintaining cognitive function and mobility as well as keeping medical problems under control. Ongoing research into smart, context-aware technologies which allow older adults to live independently will therefore improve their quality of life, while reducing the cost of healthcare delivery. The proposed discovery project will build on the applicant's research into numerous ambient sensors, touch sensors and sensor systems to monitor health and expand expertise in the area of data analytics, data fusion as well as communications and storage of large data sets. Specifically, big data' in the area of mobility will be investigated by researching sensor systems to assess gait amongst the cognitively-impaired. In addition, large EEG data sets from the same population group will be explored to identify signal changes that correlate with cognitive decline. This multidisciplinary project will contribute to development of advanced data acquisition and processing techniques from multiple sensors, providing new insights into advanced warning signs' of cognitive and functional decline. Over the long term, this project will support the development of a first-of-its-kind integrated assessment system to unobtrusively monitor cognition and mobility, helping to safeguard the health and independence of the aging population.