Smart Lamp That Detects Falls Arrives in U.S.

LAS VEGAS—Nobi, a provider of aging technology solutions, has introduced a smart lamp powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on fall detection and prevention for older adults. The company, which presented the lamp at CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show), said the device can help protect against injury and death while also reducing health care costs due to falls.

Already in use in the Belgian market, where the company is based, the Nobi smart lamp is now available in the United States and other countries for use by assisted living communities and nursing homes. New features of the smart lamp include the ability to monitor distress indicators such as irregular breathing and coughing.

A version of the device for in-home use is anticipated for rollout in the US later this year.

“Saving lives and safeguarding the quality years of life have been our driving forces since the establishment of Nobi,” said Roeland Pelgrims, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “Our older population has the highest risk of death or serious injury from falls, and this risk only increases with age. According to statistics, older adults are treated in hospital emergency rooms for falls every 11 seconds, and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall.”  

The Nobi smart lamp’s ability to detect falls not only protects seniors by summoning immediate help, but also lessens the burden on caregivers, reducing the need to perform repeat, in-person check-ins.

The Nobi smart lamp also helps to prevent falls by shining a soft light when a resident sits upright in bed at night. If a person then stands to go to the bathroom, for example, the smart lamp will automatically illuminate the entire room. This will help the elderly find their way better and avoid tripping or bumping into objects. In time, using its AI technology, Nobi will also be able to predict certain falls to help prevent them.