Smart Condo™

Space/Equipment

Size: 94m2

Special Features: This one bedroom condo features:

  • Movable counters and removable floors for the installation of wireless sensor technology for remote monitoring
  • Bathroom with two entrance/exits to allow for more than one simulation activity to occur at a time
  • External control room without observation window to reduce the "observer effect"
  • Control room with separate feeds into the bathroom and the suite to support simultaneous simulations
  • Fully functional kitchen designed using universal design principles


Equipment: 


  • Fully equipped as a one bedroom apartment/condo
  • Universal design principles applied throughout
  • Specialized rehabilitation equipment is available for use in this space

AV/IT:


  • IP based PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras in kitchen/living area, washroom and bedroom 
  • Ceiling mounted loudspeakers and microphones
  • 100cm (40”) LCD monitor and computer workstation in living area


Potential Educational and Research Activities

The condo is used to simulate home visits allowing health care professionals to increase their understanding of assisted living devices (e.g.,wheelchairs, walkers) and to practice working respectfully within their patients' private and personal space. The integration of intelligent technology also provides opportunities to learn how to communicate and collaborate with "patients" living in intelligent homes.

The condo provides opportunities for research around the use of applied universal design principles; users apply knowledge of occupational performance, functional design and human factors (i.e., physical, cognitive and sensory) to design for again, or mobility impaired populations with a focus on wellness. 

The integration of intelligent technology, such as wireless sensors for remote monitoring, can improve the quality of life for chronically ill patients and reduce hospital stays. This technology will be used to monitor health related events and transmit the collected information to an online virtual environment. The Smart Condo™ will support the development of technology for remote monitoring and health care in rural Canada.

In addition to home care/palliative care simulation, the Condo™ can be used as a focus group room for the study of parent-child interactions, aging in place observation, and microbiology safe food handling.



ECHA, Smart Condo™ in University of Alberta, Canada