WiFi is not just for sending and receiving information. Several studies have shown that it is possible to use WiFi as if it were a kind of scanner to map a room , monitoring how waves collide with different elements of the home. Therefore, in the future, WiFi will have functions so that the router can detect whether or not we are at home, and Telefónica is already testing it in homes.
This has been announced by the operator, who is testing in Luciana (Ciudad Real) together with the Canadian company Aerial a pilot project with Remote Care . Elderly women who live alone, aged between 75 and 93 years, and who have various pathologies that affect their mobility, cognitive system or emotional state are participating in this test.
The participants are being observed for 3 months through Remote Care , the platform that obtains data through the WiFi infrastructure installed in their homes. This platform sends alerts to users previously configured on it.
The system does not require additional portable devices, but simply with the normal and current WiFi router , with the existing signals, presence and movement can be detected using an AI and contextual analysis. In addition, it is able to analyze patterns and thus be able to compare habitual behavior to see if there are any problems.
WiFi Sensing: your router can map you
This system with WiFi Sensing technology allows family members to be more calm regarding what may happen to elderly people who are alone at home, being able to extend their stays at home without having to resort to residences or special care at home. The software has been developed by Aerial Technologies , a pioneer in the field of WiFi motion detection.
Although this may seem like an invasion of privacy , the truth is that it is much more comfortable and safer than using security cameras. The router can detect movements in the home at any time without having to watch what is happening through a security camera, so it is more respectful of privacy. In addition, it can be used to detect thieves in the home, or to activate automated tasks with home automation. If the router detects that we are home, it can turn on the lights. If it detects that we are sitting on the sofa, it can turn on the TV automatically.
Currently, more than 2 million people over 65 years of age in Spain, the majority women, live alone. With this system it is possible not only to know the activity, but also to monitor sleep interruptions by family members, caregivers and doctors. According to their studies, this system is much more effective than the emergency button, which works with batteries that can run out, and which only 15% of the users who hire it use in the long term.
The WiFi 7 will integrate it as standard
This functionality will be included by default in the future WiFi 7 standard , although it will be necessary to wait until spring 2024 for it to be finally approved. Another function that it may incorporate is that of detecting even if the user is breathing, since breathing can generate small changes in the characteristics of the radio frequency signal.
