ElderShield: a Wearable Emergency Alert Device for the Elderly

ElderShield is a cutting-edge IoT device tailored to safeguard elderly individuals, especially those living alone. By harnessing the capabilities of modern technology and the Internet, ElderShield serves as a virtual protector, offering peace of mind to seniors and their families. This device is wearable, compact, and equipped with features like fall detection, shower monitoring, and remote check-ins, ensuring timely assistance during emergencies.

Hardware

• ESP32 Microcontroller
• MPU6050 Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensor
• Humidity Sensor
• LED Strip
• Speaker
• Joystick (used as a button)
• Power Supply/Battery
• Wires and Connectors
• Modular strap
• A suitable container or casing

Software

• Blynk App and Account
• Arduino IDE (for programming the ESP32)
• Basic soldering tools (if connections need to be permanent)

1. Install Arduino IDE: Download and install the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
2. Configure ESP32 Support: Follow the instructions to add ESP32 board support to the Arduino IDE.
3. Blynk Setup: Create an account, Download the Blynk app on your smartphone and log in.

• Humidity Sensor-
• DHTTYPE - dht22
• Pin 15
• Joystick - Pin 2
• Accelerator Mpu - Pins 21,23
• Speaker connected to I2S - Pins 25, 26
• Neopixel - Pin 16

You are Welcome to check out the code on Github:

https://github.com/omertait/ElderShield

Adding a Virtual Pin in Blynk's Developer Zone:

• Access the Developer Zone in your Blynk app.
• Navigate to 'Datastreams' and create a new data stream by selecting 'Virtual'.
• Assign the virtual pin V0. This pin will be used to communicate specific data between your hardware and the Blynk app, such as alerts triggered by the sensors.

Setting Up Events and Notifications:

• Still in the Developer Zone, go to 'Events & Notifications'.
• Add new events for different types of alerts that the device can send:As a warning: Create events for 'Fall Detected', 'Shower Alert', and 'Timeout Response'. These will serve as critical alerts signaling potential emergencies or issues that need immediate attention.
• As info: Set up an event for 'Ok Response'. This is a non-critical alert used to indicate that the user has acknowledged a check-in and is safe.
• For each event, enable notifications. This ensures that when an event is triggered, a notification is sent to the connected smartphone or email address.

Connecting New Device in the Devices Section:

• Go to the 'Devices' section within the Blynk app.
• Add a new device and select the template you created for your ElderShield device.
• Once the device is added, Blynk will generate Auth Tokens. Make a note of these tokens, as they are crucial for the hardware code. You'll need to insert them into your ESP32's code so that the microcontroller can communicate with the Blynk app.

Adding a Button Widget:

• In the mobile app, you will see a blank canvas where you can add widgets. Tap anywhere on the canvas to open the widget box.
• Find the 'Button' widget and drag it onto the canvas.
• Tap on the newly placed button to configure its settings.

Configuring the Button Widget:

• Assign the button to 'Virtual Pin V0' (or another virtual pin if V0 is being used for a different sensor). This connects the button to the data stream that you set up in the Developer Zone.
• Set the mode of the button to 'Push'. This means the button will only be active as long as you press it, similar to a doorbell, which is suitable for sending instant commands like 'Check-In' or 'Emergency Cancel'.

Finalizing the Widget:

• You can label the button with an appropriate name like "Check-In" or "Emergency".
• Customize the appearance of the button if desired, such as its color or size on the screen.

By completing these steps, you'll have set up the virtual pathways and alerts necessary for the ElderShield device to communicate with the Blynk app, allowing for real-time monitoring and notifications.

In this final assembly step, we'll combine all components into a single wearable unit. This involves mounting the electronics, securing the connections, and ensuring that the device is both functional and comfortable for the user.

Preparing the Container

• Start by measuring and cutting out slots for the LED strip so that it can shine through when the device is closed.
• Create openings for the joystick button and other required sensors, ensuring they are accessible and can interact with the environment.
• Drill holes for the wires to connect the external sensors to the ESP32 inside the Container.

Mounting the Electronics

• Begin by attaching the ESP32 and sensors to the mounting board or plate. Ensure that all components are firmly in place and that the soldered connections are secure.
• The MPU6050 and humidity sensor should be positioned so they can accurately gather data without any interference.
• Adhere the LED strip to the outer surface of the mounting board or enclosure. The LEDs should be visible when the device is worn.
• Arrange components so that you can close the box without pinching any wires.

Integrating the Power Source

• Connect the battery pack to the ESP32, ensuring that you have a secure and stable power connection. It's essential that the battery pack is safely housed within the enclosure to prevent any movement that could dislodge the power supply.

Securing the Device

• Use the strap to attach the mounting board to the device container. The strap should be adjustable to fit the wearer comfortably.

Thank you for joining us on this build! We hope you found the instructions for the ElderShield device clear and easy to follow.

Your engagement and feedback are vital to us. We’d love to hear about your build experience, any custom features you added, or the innovative ways you adapted the design. Feel free to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.

Let’s continue to inspire and support each other in this community. Together, we can make a significant impact on the well-being of our loved ones.

Happy building, and thank you from all of us!