My research has been around the where home
in the where home research initiative and

especially working in the Wendy and
others around older adults and

how technology can help older adults
function better in their homes.

So this project that that I was thinking
broad thing would be presenting today is

one that has spun out of some
initial ideas that we had in the OR

they were home research initiative and
that our Georgia applied research side

Georgia Tech Research Institute has
taken on as a strategic initiative.

So they're putting their internal funding
that they have into this project and

Brad Fein is the lead on this project.

Unfortunately his wife was in
the hospital last night and

is now on medication that
she has to be monitored.

So I don't know what is wrong with the but

apparently we we've had two people
with this kind of story where

somebody has an up in the hospital
night before in the last.

So I'm going to do my best to represent
especially the first couple slides

here that are more central to
the human systems group it.

The actual home project.

I'm very familiar with although there are
a number of other people and balls in that

now and it's some of those are recruiting
and doing many other things.

So it's become a fairly big project and
for good reason we we have big ideas.

So I hope that this will go well I'm
going to have to cheat a little bit on

some notes just in the beginning but
hopefully if if there are any questions

feel free to ask along the way I
was hoping for a bigger group.

All right so your eyes are so

big we involved our has been
historically involved in military.

Type research and so
you'll notice in the first couple slides.

Because you get to OK in the first
couple slides that there is this

military background but they're trying to
expand as military funding goes down into

other areas where they can
plug into efforts around

Georgia Tech campus and help us to be
a stronger player one Georgia Tech

has as the president and and
the administration have have

defined with as through strategic
planning process here Georgia Tech.

So what used to be us and
them with the academic side in

the applied research side is now becoming
a blur and I think that's that's great for

Georgia Tech both internally and
to the outside world.

So I'm sorry the topics the agenda for

today was to do a brief
introduction into what.

And this is going to be talking about
the lab that is the home base for

this human systems engineering lab.

We'll do a project overview for

the home project get into how
we're developing the home.

As well as the the internal research
projects that we think will be

some starting points for

us to get some interesting data on what
how we can proceed forward with projects.

Our own research projects and
then we'll take questions and answers and

if you want to we can do
a little brainstorming.

Task to see what kind of ideas we can come
up with that might work and in the test.

It's.

So projects that pretty big as I mentioned

we have a lot of moving parts here
especially up front where we're trying

to get established with all the the
database and and survey instruments and

such have to have a number of people
involved to do that correctly and

as we start recruiting in maintaining this
effort I will get we're going to start

including more people along the way but
the primary team is Brad Fein and my.

So as Brad is the primary contact in
the Georgia Tech Research Institute and

I'm helping with the management and
trying to get the word out about this

and Sean Phelps is actually an M.D.

one of the few that we have here at
Georgia Tech who's acting as an advisor.

But he raised doing the infrastructure
development and that's more of the survey

instruments and such that I'll
mention briefly along along the way.

Courtney Crooks has been really good at
getting I.R.B. Institute review board and

protocols in place to make sure
that we're protecting our dispense.

And also helping with coming up
with some of the research ideas

that will be doing ourselves we need
to fold and carry Beller will be doing

recruitment they already are with
the need to work in west Georgia area and

then as we get to Atlanta Kerry and
others will come on board

Damon NIXON No I've met him but I guess
he's working on the database there's

a team behind the scenes that work
on all the database stuff and.

They're just now getting up to speed on
some of the requests that we've had and

then Carl blunt and

others are really support staff that are
making sure that what we say is correct

and and following Georgia Tech guidelines
and as well as other guidelines.

So this this research
stems out of past research

related to military and
product testing that the that the lab

has been doing human systems in
the systems engineering lab.

So they've been looking at cockpit
design really looking at the human

side of things with the usability
How is it used does it work for

individuals of certain abilities or
the individuals the target audience

in each of these cases and I know
that when these group has significant

experience of this is very related to
a lot of things they do but more on the.

What can we do for industry what
can we do for military etc because

there are services that can be done there
as opposed to the I mean there's still

underlying research but it's more service
oriented been getting out at all.

They're still getting guidelines so
I better shut up.

Before I get in trouble with
the people in the back.

All right.

So the core business is designed in
testing of high performance military

systems such as these
cockpits they started in

two thousand testing against other
Carmen's some Section five or

eight which is accessibility
requirements for devices like.

Copier machines and then in two thousand
and four became the test lab for

the Arthritis Foundation which is actually
huge they've done a number of studies

on products that are well like that
coffee coffee or are people able to

open these items what kind of challenges
to they have if they have arthritis and

and basically confirming that a product
that claims that it's designed for

people with certain abilities
actually achieves that claim.

That's spread so a little younger.

So that basically they focus on the on
these three primary techniques for doing

these measurements the functional Susman
which as I mentioned looking at how.

In this case it's visual acuity.

Strength required that we know
what kind of reach is required for

different things like the copier
machines and such fine motor control so

are they able to control the buttons and
other aspects of it and

then the but considering the actual
abilities of the target audience.

So in this case.

Not exactly sure what the individual.

In the wheelchair.

They have a lower body paralysis or
quadriplegic but.

Paraplegic Thank you.

The they do checklist evaluations which
is really going down a set of lists that

are like the Section five guidelines but

federal requirements internal substance
that they've done doing check

with on what what we already know
from doing these kinds of tests and

then looking at just what the literature
says that we should be considering these

cases so and then the user testing is very
much task performance based evaluations

using people who are representative
the target audience right so

it would be within a lab and
especially with the Arthritis Foundation.

These are some of the products
they've been testing out.

Are they able to open up medicine bottles.

Use staplers I know that there.

They've done a good bit of testing with
those kind of copier machines and such but

I'm not sure it's around arthritic
conditions and I even see batteries for

hearing aids which I imagine can be
extremely challenging So obviously they're

running a number of tests they get people
into their labs they have special labs for

those over fourteenth Street
in the it's actually the G.P.

building where this lot
of this group is located.

I would store to public broadcasting.

All right.

OK So why is why is testing needed I think
this is a great slide representing that

you actually you know in traditionally and
this is changing a lot.

The the there was that

the model for the medical model for

disability tells us that there's something
wrong with the person if their ability.

Deviates from the norm.

So that's something that we as
a society have to overcome and

we're starting to see this through seeing
I know in my neighborhood the curb cuts

are being changed out and that's those are
all regulations they're being established

by the federal government as well
as the local municipalities and

so it really comes down to how can we
enable people and general population.

Right.
If you end up in a wheelchair you're going

to want to have the same kind of features
in your environment to allow you

to function even if there
are even if you have wheels.

All right so than the.

I missed this.

And then particularly in this case for

the purposes of the homeland why it why
do we want to test that considering that

a large portion of our population I know
many of you know this is is shifting to

where we have older individuals
sixty five sixty five and

older increasing because of improvements
in health care we're able to

address all the acute problems and
now it becomes the chronic problems

that we see showing up and
lasting through many years.

So we need to be able to do this
kind of testing to make sure that

individuals are able to still function and
these plots on the on the right here.

Yes.

Right.

And

it's really our country is
has the we realize this.

We just haven't done well at
acting on it and I think it's

kind of a panic now as we see the Medicare
and similar type programs so secure.

And others are really getting into that
red zone with How's it going to sustain.

But also health care.

So how's how are we going
to help individuals who

are starting this we're starting to see
the decline and in functional billet ease

and how are we going to make sure that
they're able to stay in their homes and

function in their homes and I you know
this is been the target of this group for

for the last few years how many years
have we been what three four years.

But when I see these plots OK
the developing countries are the outside

the lighter blue and the the dark blue is
actually the developed countries and this

is a common trend where we have the it's
becoming inverted in the number of younger

individuals compared to older so when
the Society started changing like that.

You have fewer people fewer
working people supporting

these kind of systems like social systems
like Social Security and Medicare.

So people who are actually
working providing that that

security blanket so to speak.

And also many of those people who are
working will be caring for their parents.

So how can we help people
with independence to

alleviate some of the bird and continuing

on the side of why we test the obviously
risk reduction that's a huge one.

We want to make sure that they're there.

We're able to capture the inside so
that consumers so what kind of problems.

Do they have how can we.

Build up a knowledge base that allows
us to address these concerns so

we we don't have to be so
we have something in place initially and

the testing is based on understanding
already in place F.D.A.

usability documentation this is one reason
we were setting up this home project

product effectiveness is that doing
what it what it claims to do and

what kind of challenges show up especially
over time you know we may do an initial

evaluation it doesn't show up.

It's.
You know every It's very novel but

as people start using over
time that some things.

The real problems start start appearing.

And that's the marketing claims
kind of falls on the product.

And so.

All right so with the project a review is
as more of these products are starting to

come in the Mark and
I think this past year two thousand and

eleven that we've seen a real increase
in these these types of products that

are intended to help individuals
function in their in their older adults

especially function in the homes that
it's like the industry has suddenly gone.

We need to play here.

Let's come up with something that's that
can fit into this market because it's

a huge market and I know there's going to
be a lot of shake out companies will will.

Some companies will move up to
the top others will disappear but

we need to make sure that we have
something in place that can help them with

getting the the F.D.A.
requirements in place

that allows us to help with these

products are entering the market addresses
some of the the issues that may come up.

So what kind of feedback can
we give to the company or

what kind of material can we can give
to them that might become used in

their marketing because an independent
group has done this evaluation of it.

So really we're looking to make
Georgia Tech is the go to place for

this type of testing the health and
wellness type product testing.

All right so any quote I'll get into
the details of what the goals are.

But really as I've mentioned
the hope is to take.

Products put them in the people's
homes and we're looking at fifty and

older as our population
see how they use them.

What kind of usability challenges are
there and there may be an initial stage to

this where we do this functional
assessment in focus groups or in.

Independent interviews.

But it's the lab is intended for

this this home lab is intended
to get in actual people's homes

long term it could be one month it
could be three months could be a year.

But what we're targeting right now is
up to six months because that's where

the Seems to be one of the the key
points for industry doing testing yes.

Right.

So.

So one of the I don't know that that has
come up except for the providers like

insurance providers who like Humana and
others who are looking at what

kind of products could help reduce their
costs whether it's wellness leading into.

Tarmon or.

Prevention are well whatever their number
of products that they're interested in but

from a care provider point of view
there are products that we will as

we do this testing the intent is to work
with the companies doing the testing or

maybe the larger providers that
if you have a company like golly.

There's there's a huge
run up in the northeast.

That doesn't number used to use technology
in their in their practices and

they wanted to determine if how
they would use certain products and

if the products have
have any challenges so

this is just in discussions we
don't have anything formal but.

So I could see in that kind of
a scenario that the provider my benefit.

But for the smaller company the way they
might benefit is that our research shakes

out some of the problems of these systems
so if they adopt them as their own.

They already can they can look for
those kind of claims and we.

I don't know that we have
a certification per se on

this although it has been considered.

But that might be something that we put
in the play where that you look for that

sort of creation and see what kind of you
know that it's been actually evaluated.

So I guess that's one answer to
your question but there will be

some benefit I think it's going to be more
indirect and direct to the smaller groups.

Yes.

So

you're

you're thinking of maybe
I understood you wrong.

Are you thinking of like the providers the
ones who are actually doing the care or

are they coming to you with a new product.

OK.

Right

yeah.

Look.

What I hear you say.

If you think it will hit you.

You know why you feel this
way you're here to work.

But if you look deeper.

And if not reimbursable than.

Right or ability.

Live.

We live the world.

We're by.

Are there.

A lot.

I think you know with
the speaker we had last.

Last month from hopefully health navigator
subtill and Wang Kong someone that.

Their product was an extension
of the grant care system and

they they have actually wrapped
a nice model around that and

they wanted to reproduce
this across the country.

But I think it's that ecosystem
that is in it has to work and

that's I think what you're getting
at is that if if your market and

you can't necessarily pick up something
and move it from Hawaii to Atlanta.

You really have to consider and understand
the what's going to work in that market.

And the I agree the affordability
of this is going to be key.

And that's one of the reasons we want to
try to get it represent a population that

I know it's going to be more challenging
to get at the lower income demographics.

We're trying to work with the natural
occurring retirement communities to get

some of those individuals and
I think there were we're looking for

suggestions on how to expand our to base.

OK so the goals for the project.

We want to get the test bed and set up
fifty homes very quickly and we actually

are up to we all it's interesting we
have fifty eight participants but

twenty seven twenty somewhere
in that twenty seven homes.

So a lot of couples.

And that's just because
the nature of the group so

we started with is word of mouth and
I think will that will be changing very

quickly but our goal is to get up
to one hundred fifty individuals by

the end of year one hopefully that
will be more than seventy five homes.

And be able to start testing
a product in this setting so

we can understand what kind of.

Challenges come up and
we have a product lined up that Humana is

sponsoring you'll see it on another
couple screens here that will allow us to

do that kind of testing and we've already
set up the protocol for the plan for

the testing how we're going to evaluate it
and we're just waiting on the product now

it hasn't come off
the manufacturing line yet.

We're also looking to perform
that launch to no research

that we're interested in and some of the
participants this year as we're starting

to build up the marketing to industry
the outside world people who might pay for

a evaluation in this in this test.

And then as we move forward we want to
try to get up to five hundred fifty hp to

spend so over the next three to four
years we have a fairly say aggressive but

in seeing how things are moving forward.

It's actually moving faster than that then
I thought now that we've gotten gotten

moving where expecting that you need
a management system right now it's all

paper based capture of information in
three our interviews in the homes.

We're getting a little more detail
of that in a few minutes but

we're going to need a database to
capture all the sum from Asian and

does allow us to sort through
find the right individuals for

the right product as is the goal so that's
why five hundred fifty is the target.

We're thinking we can
have one hundred two.

I mean hopefully eighty percent
of this of these these numbers

build in any given time doing studies that
are either related to our research or

industry research and then we're also
looking at beta sites that would like

we have a suite it was
the woods in the towers there.

I'm not sure how long they're going to let
us keep that but that is one example of

a place where we can get technology into a
population where it can be in a controlled

environment and have people come to
that room instead of trying to travel to

the where home or similar facilities
that are not convenient so.

We're trying to find these communities
that will be willing to work with us to to

set up some of these beta sites once
we start seeing that interest and

I have talked with a couple of communities
that have said yeah we'd love to

think about it when it actually
comes down to you know.

Can we do it.

We'll see if that works.

But the idea was a where home
as as an office site tests and

they were home get all those
kind of problems worked out and

then move to beta site where
we get that population.

Yes.

Both.

So.

Right.

Right so.

Work.

OK he.

And that doesn't work either.

Also maybe because I was typing
there were so types of products.

This is one that's just
getting started on the market.

They've already done
the prototype testing.

They've started a company they're
putting on a manufacturing line in

China Chinese New Year got in the way and
that's why we're.

Push back on our testing
is supposed dark and

January looks like it's
going to be March now.

But this is a a it's Humana wanted to
know how if this product would work for

people who are coming up toward retirement
into retirement age to sixty and

older population they're looking
at it's a weight loss coach.

So it has a little screen on the front of
it they gets feedback from the individual

and provides feedback to the individual
it does not actually does talk.

It doesn't amount doesn't move but
the lights the whites the eyes the boy.

So the eyes are actually cameras that
can detect where the person is and

turn toward them when they have
to they have to activate in

the morning by tapping on the shoulder but
it's called Awesome.

Aid C O M.

And it is from intuitive
automated is the company.

I don't know.

Yeah you think you have a wallet Wally.

Well the robots take on all of all shapes.

I'm sorry.

We have not done the testing ourselves
they have tested in populations and

in the Boston area around MIT were.

It was developed so they have initial
claims they have an initial study protocol

that we actually got ahold of and we had
just had it for our our protocol and

then we're going to put this into
people's homes and twenty homes and then.

With a robot and ten with a control group
or a paper weight loss study or diary.

It provides feedback I
mean supposed to capture.

It's not going to capture
directly from a pedometer but

they're supposed to use the pedometer
information and are in their steps.

Also enter nutrition information
where they can look up much like

that on the site where you
mount monitoring nutrition.

You know there are other sites that do
this where it already has a pretty loaded

list of common foods at restaurants or
home that you can select from.

So one of our goals is see what kind
of challenges people in this older

age group than they initially tested and
will have with it and

if it can be a viable product for
Humanity consider taking further.

The glow cap is another
example of a technology that

might be tested in this test but
this was another interest of

humanity as it may be an interest of I
mean it sounds like it may be either.

Used in our research or a similar type
of product but the the goal was to see

what kind of challenges people have is
designed with a much easier to use cap but

when you know how does the alerting work
for individuals do they like it just like

in especially over time when
it's calling them when they

don't take the medication calls and after
an hour and I know this is very annoying

because I've got a bottle over the or home
that keeps triggering a call to my office.

So when I'm not there.

It's fine but.

But it's kind of annoying when I have to
answer the phone and and I go through them

and there's one you have to hit one or
they'll keep calling you back.

So anyway though those are some
of the things I'd love to hear

from the individuals who are actually
taking the medication like me who

I just have this demo unit.

You know what do they like or
dislike and what would they recommend so

we can make recommendations to the company
or to other possible medication.

Technologies this other two hundred ten.

I don't even it's a basically an ankle
bracelet that tracks G.P.S. activity and

so location aware as well as
getting that active graph

you know how active someone
is it's tamper proof so

that would imply that you could
lock in on someone's leg.

I don't know this will be
the technology used but

thinking of these type of products.

You know what kind of challenges will they
have if if it's something that needs to be

removed daily were kind of challenges
that they have the mechanism for

getting on the leg.

I keep thinking of the fit that it will

they remember to take it off their clothes
that's why I have it on my belt so

when I take off my belt falls off
on the ground if I forget it.

So.

Yes you're

right.

So

yes to all those the training and

instructions is probably one that
will shake out just because of that

that's the kind of research that
they've done in the past in this group.

So the when you're considering
these kind of projects or

products and
they're already on the market.

We don't want to put something in you
know we're not going to publish something

unless the company is open to us
publishing it about this testing.

So a white paper that we do
co-publisher the company was one of

the in talking with simple C. folks and
Dan come to Leo That was one of the things

he thought would be very useful for
companies and a definite definite value.

Feedback on how to improve.

Future versions.

Absolutely.

Beneficial to the companies and
then F.D.A.

requirements to meet you know you have
to have a significant population and

go through a lot of these ability and
we're starting to see this more prevalent

now as these products
are becoming more health centric.

And that that definition seems
to be expanding even into apps.

So what apps on mobile phones so
we may see some of that market coming in

here as well we'll see that that
was the intent was to provide

feedback to provide feedback on how
you can improve provide a white hat.

Publication on when we've done

the testing what the you know how well
it performed at achieving the you know.

How effective it was of
achieving its claims and

then that could be used
as marketing materials.

If they'd like to yes.

Right so that is really up
to the nature of the study.

So if it's if the company comes to us and
says we want to know how all this works

and in general then there
will be this group is has

all these tools that they use for
evaluating much like I'm sure.

Wendy's group has.

That will be the core of that testing but
then there will be some testing that's

specific to each product as well so
it depends on on how hands on.

I guess they want us to
be in the process and

of course that will increase
cost of if it increases for.

I think that that

would be a very good question for
Brad to you know to define whether that

you know what the tools are they currently
have and how those I'm sure that they will

be adjusting these as they go as they find
other other concerns in these products but

I think it's a very good point and
one that that I should take back to that.

In the recruitment we're this
is what I stated earlier

looking at a population of fifty and older
trying to get a representative population.

At least around the Atlanta area for now
and we'll see how challenging that is or

we're just getting started on really
reaching out to organizations that

may be able to help us in recruiting but

you know can we get this this good
sampling of individuals we want to be able

to ensure that they will at least expect
to be in their homes six months or

longer because that's key to our long term
research we don't want to have somebody up

and move in the middle of a research
project although that could happen and

we know that and
there's also this built into the model for

this we expect that there will be
attrition people will fall off.

They won't want to
participate they may passed.

Way we have to be prepared to keep
building up the numbers to keep them at at

the we're thinking that extra fifty
want to say five hundred fifty

that extra fifty will be our
margin of recruitment each year.

As far as the study of the products.

It really depends on the agreement
with the industry so

they're going to be some research projects
that we're going to doing internally.

They will be funded by
our own research and

that information will definitely
make available through

publications that's actually key to keep
We want to keep the individuals and gaged.

So one of our goals is to keep have it at
least one activity that they're involved

in every few months whether it's just
following up with a phone call or

actually having them to talk
about some of the studies

that we're considering internally but
snapping a picture every day or

just to look at some of the questions
that we have in our research.

But also keep them engaged in the effort.

So that should be published.

When we get those findings.

So this is where the representative
population comes into play and

I keep bringing this up at our meetings
on how are we actually going to

we need to start defining what
that breakup is right now.

I think we're just trying to get numbers.

So we actually have a sampling
that's actually older then I

think it's all in sixty five.

And we've gotten up to about
eighty five in the age range.

But it's a great question and one that
we need to make sure we're addressing.

And the the other requirement is

this access to a telephone
cell phone somewhere.

For that we can easily
communicate with them.

And we're also thinking a little i Pad or

tablet type kiosks we could put in
the home we communicate with them as well

get some survey data along the way or
something like that.

So there we go fifty eight participants
recruited we had a little stall because

our we had to do an amendment for human
subject testing sort of this week we were

expecting to not recruit but
starting next week.

I think we'll be starting again and

I think that approval
will be coming in soon.

So we're pretty much where can we
get the word out to anybody but

alumni is one population that
we think may be very valuable.

And willing to participate but
it may also skew the results so

we have to be careful about that
we're also looking at senior centers.

I mentioned that show occurring
retirement communities.

I think we're trying to keep We
want to get pockets of people so

we don't want to have one
hundred people at one location.

We'd like to get maybe ten
at a retirement community or

ten at the naturally occurring
return committee but

what's nice about the naturally occurring
ones is they are in their own home.

So it's a different kind of set up than in
these traditional retirement from these.

So we want to see how how this starts
panning out as we do that marketing for

recruiting and getting these you
know getting the word out but

very open to suggestions there
as to where we might might go.

I know that Kim McRae who
we've had here speaking for

years ago had talked me recently and

suggested well to coffee who's the
director of leading age here in Georgia.

We used to be George Association for.

Home.

I think it was OK so
that we had to put this in there.

What the homeland is not we don't
want to be a marketing tool.

And I think that that when you asked about
publications that something we're going

to have to figure out is how do we
provide this kind of truthful data.

But in a way that obviously
we don't want to deter.

Companies from coming to us we want to
have we want to be able to produce results

ourselves that are are not skewed
toward what a company wants to see.

So we have to keep that white hat aspect
of it a place to test products that

are extremely early stages of development
that's true to some extent we actually

have the beta sites that we're trying
to set up there to help with that but

it is not intended for
those products as Dennis folds he's

one of the he's the chief research
engineer a research scientist.

Has said we don't want to bring around.

We don't want research is constantly
going into people's homes but

we are considering a smaller subset
of homes in order to do that kind of

assessment so the early stages.

Because it's going to be useful to
us is going to be useful to industry

possibly as well.

OK so what we will do we will be
compensating participants for the time.

In fact to tour I has a set policy I
can't remember the numbers but I know for

a three hour session.

I think we run it up to fifty dollars for

that that three hour induction interview
and I'll get some of the details that come

into that minute we will be protecting
the identities as is required by

all human subject testing identities and
personal information project to Spence.

We're keeping the identity separate
from any of the data in fact we just

had discussed in the other day of
how we do that and how we hip is not

on the screen but how we comply with
the federal regulations in doing so.

So right now.

None of that information is in
the database it's all on paper but

as we get the set up in an approved it
will move on over so we can do more.

Better searches of the data.

And we'll not charge the Pistons for
participating in the in the valuations.

So one of the questions that
has come up as if they like

certain products will
they stay in their homes.

This is something that we have to
work out with each product vendor so.

And we've had this chat with Humana
that they seem to be open to it.

The question is can we do it from the
subscription standpoint which is what that

little robot how that little robot
functions as two hundred dollars cost

upfront and
then it's a monthly subscription of.

Twenty.

It's somewhere in that twenty
thirty dollars a month range.

I think.

But since we're directing the product
in that company is very involved they

may they may waive that service charge for
some period of time as we're thinking.

Yes So this is all
the information that we'd like to

collect We want to understand as much as
we can about the individuals involved so

that when we're we get products brought to
us whether there's social communication

products or medication or
a robot's for weight loss.

We can identify the right people to ask if
they'd like to participate in the study.

So it's very much and I mean it's opt in.

But we want to be able to make make
sure that we know we're targeting

the right individuals.

Before asking about studies so

relationship information what's
their social network look quite.

What are their communication
preferences that's a pretty big one.

And then the any of the you know
we're looking at the history so

we're not actively capturing information
about the individual at this point but

that may be something that comes into
play for one of these studies is.

Here's a product that we want to test but

we need to do other assessment in the
background so maybe it's capturing what

kind of socializing they do beyond that
social technology that they're testing.

Personal information.

This is obvious.

We want to get the health information
the demographic of the individual and

as I had mentioned earlier trying
to give that lower incomes and

represent a population is going to be key.

And we're also mapping
out their their homes.

So this is part of that three
hour induction process and

one of the the longer tasks is to
go around take snapshots of what

technology they already have in their home
and getting a map set up on their home.

So when we do get these calls if they
say do they have stairs in the home we

know that if they are asking about you
know where their product could go we want

to make sure that something like a weight
loss coach robot can actually fit in

their home because we know that there are
much smaller homes where there may not be

a space for this.

So any questions.

There is I know this is going to be one
of the questions that will come up in

the communities and
as we reach out to individuals.

OK So

this is all about the data management side
of it and everything that we're promising

about keeping it private
information HIPAA compliant.

The tracking of past communications
that's more about the management side so

we want to make sure that we are
connecting with the individuals at least

once every two months in a phone call
that helps us update their information so

we keep the database up to date.

We also want to have that kind of personal
relationship with the individuals so

that if they have a concern or
want to get out of the test but

there they feel like they can call us and
talk about it.

So this the relationship
management is going to be handled.

Once we get the database up and running.

There will be it will allow us to keep
record of who we've contacted and when and

which we need who we need to follow
up with today or in the next week.

And all the see right now at fifty people.

It's not that difficult to manage.

It's when we get up to five
hundred fifty it will be so

that's why we're building up as we as we
go trying to get this this in place so

we can continue to function
as we should a capacity.

And we definitely want to be
able to perform this these

queries on the data to understand who
who the right people are to that.

We have a team actually that's dedicated

to that in the management of the data
from we're trying to automate the not.

Automate but
make it a digital induction interviews so

that that information translates
directly into the database right

now it's all paper which is
definitely slowing down the process.

So

it's going to work both ways.

We're hoping to get the marketing worked
up to where if you're searching for

something like this will be in the top
hits we'll see if that actually works but

we're also actively going to in fact
last during November and December I was

actually going to conferences and finding
possible benders that we would you know at

starting an initial conversation with them
and then I'm going to follow up with them.

Now that we're getting our marketing
kind of together to start asking.

I think to some extent we were in

order to sustain this test but it's got
to be the industry has to buy into it.

So they've got to understand the value and

that's one of the things we have to
build up is the record reputation for

doing these kind of studies and getting
the name out there which is you know this

first study with Humana was one
that we had a relationship.

Already we talked through this
to let us let us help you and

the goal we're actually
underwriting some of the study.

Well so that we can start you know
get something in place to brag about.

And that is and so we're getting this
marketing aspect of it spun up now as well

with the hope of companies coming to
us but also targeting companies and

saying hey do you know about this service.

So it's how we actually

compile all this data I suspect that some
of this will be available on our website.

Especially if it's internal As I
mentioned before as companies come to us.

That's a relationship that I I
really need to understand better.

You know what's going to be acceptable or
not because talking with simple C. folks

who I know are very open to this they're
saying it doesn't matter if it's bad.

Let's get out there with means we
have to improve our product and

as long as we're working
with you to do this.

That shows that we're being proactive and
so

that that's the kind of conversation
I would hope would happen.

But at the same time we don't want to have

somebody fold just because we publish
information about their product.

Exactly.

I mean right.

So that's that's one of the goals is to
fix it before it gets out on the market.

The other is if it's on the market early
stage so help them fix it in the next.

Maybe it's just software updates but
to help them fix it in the next round.

Sure absolutely.

And I think that was you know the gen
generally that was one of the goals

was to to get this kind of whether
it's just information we're collecting

from the individuals on a regular basis or
it's specific to a product.

There's information that will be able
to share and so when lessons learned.

That will be captured in our publications

store where it whatever that's
I don't know that we I'm sure

has something set up the support
that with and I know that campuses.

Yes.

That's right.

Now.

Here is

my

book.

Right.

Well you know

it's interesting I I actually got you
guys in touch with a presenter a village

way back and
now my contact there has has left and so

I've got a I asked Jason Samer found
of the help found in the company.

So give me back in touch
with someone out there.

So that's kind of going full circle.

Yeah.

The other challenge so
that with the Norks they they I talked

with Karen Harvey and
to get permission and

they basically wanted to ensure that
they weren't liable for anything so

they said look we'll put your marketing
materials in our facilities the locations

that they actually do have which are like
we're people come the to learn and

and learn computers.

Anyway.

But we don't want to be actively
recruiting for you know that's fine.

I think so
it may vary depending on the community but

I think with five hundred fifty to
the point I mean I was considering

these kind of return communities when we
started the feasibility study of how do

we build this up and
I think it's you have to

understand that there is a higher
income in most of those communities and

that's one of the things that we we want
to be aware of but it's also interesting

to have you want to have collections of
ten or twenty people because of some of

the types of testing we want to
understand how does it change over.

A group and
especially in the same demographic right.

So I wouldn't want to do
the whole community but

definitely like ten to twenty people would
be I think of interest and we may go

beyond five hundred fifty just once when
we get done by the time we've done it.

Yeah originally we were thinking
that it would start in Atlanta and

then try to get out to were older and.

What we talked about and
this is right now we're just

trying to get numbers quickly and I think
that as we get into your two and three.

If it's proving successful then we will
be getting it beginning into those

you know how we get
into those other areas.

We found that most of the population
is definitely in city centers

from the I had to take all
the data in Georgia and

actually reshuffle it because it wasn't
presented in that way it was presented by

populate you know age per population
which if you look at some counties.

You know that there's a huge older
adult population in some counties but

the over the whole population of Georgia.

It's not that large.

So we're trying to consider
Georgia as are you know that we

want to do represent
a population of Georgia and

that will include world but we've got to
get our act together first locally so

that we we understand what the challenges
are as we move further out.

So try to increase travel time and

getting people in the areas
that can help in managing.

So we are using instruments for

the survey capture this is the Lyme survey
is has been the choice that folks came

up with in order to more automate that
paper what's currently a paper processor

right now they're sending
the the paper and long forms.

To the individuals before we go out and
visit them.

And most of them have filled them out
before we get there which is a great

time saver.

However we want to have the opportunity
for them to do it online to allow our our

researchers to go out there and fill
in a survey when they get there and so

we're looking at ways that a tablet
version of this survey could be available

as well as online for the individuals and

we know that people are going to have
different access to Internet so.

Some of the surveys that we're doing
the mental awareness one is actually.

We are not excluding individuals
who have dementia but

that's where we also don't want to be.

We want to make sure that people are in
an independent enough that they could

actually participate in these
studies successfully So if they or

their legal representatives
are not able to sign consent.

That's an obvious one.

We have some rules in place that they're
following for excluding individuals and

that's that's really going to be
determined during the recruitment process.

OK so

what types of I mean this is
infrastructure so this is what

could we have in the homes and this was
where the real expense starts showing up.

So initially I came into this thinking

you want to have five hundred fifty homes
with all this technology in place and

and then I started looking at
the numbers you know everything adds up.

I mean we have been looking at
lower cost technologies sensing and

such to give us an understanding of
activity in the home are similar.

But we're talking three thousand home and

that's it becomes cost prohibitive over
time and the numbers that we had so

starting small we wanted
to have gateways available

that would allow us to provide Internet
products that don't have it already.

Now the autumn robot has some.

Connections So hopefully that
will work but if it doesn't.

We'll have a gateway to fall back
on which is basically a device

that plugs into the wall
whether it's a big wall wart or

a separate cord like your modem and
allows you to connect these devices.

Sure

I think that that would be that
would be very helpful if you come

up with I mean if it's enough of that I
mean if it close enough to the market.

OK or in the market then it's
definitely something we would consider

if it's earlier stage we may still
consider it but for a beta site or

even evaluating in the lab.

I mean in the local labs here at
Georgia Tech before putting it

out in people's homes but.

Right.

So there is.

There is a list.

We need to have some kind of a list
that makes people available where what's

out there but I'm also thinking
of like the apps problem.

There's so many.

You can't can we maintain that list but
I think if there's something that you come

across that you think may be necessary
to test in this type of environment

that makes that would be great if
you could forward it to us and

we'll follow up with with you or
the company producing.

And.

Right.

So that's trying to stay aware of what's
out there as far as sensing products and

but it's gotten really difficult over the
last couple of years to keep up with that

unless I have something driving that
like a presentation I have to do on it.

Yeah but

this is a very good point that I'm just
having that knowledge of what's out there.

What's possible and what works.

Will be that's something I think
everybody can benefit from and

I'm not sure of the share share.

You have now are you
guys keeping a list of.

OK.

So be in a list but as far as like
products like we're testing here

are you keeping a list of those or
is that OK.

We had talked about this.

I wasn't sure.

And I can remember if
anything was actually set up.

Work.

I guess.

Yeah.

We actually found one.

I think it's this middle one here.

That was Brant that I
think we could get for

twenty dollars a month or something like.

Yours.

Actually probably is.

Yeah OK.

And I

think with especially four G.
fries and yeah.

Yeah I found I was getting like
twenty four megabits per second.

When I have the testing for
testing for John actually.

Then.

Yes So

in the home that that gets the cost and
sure does over an i Pad or so

yeah yeah great great suggestion and
that this is what you know.

We're just starting to
look at these things for

the home that might be
you know I act to fit or

a similar type of act to grok similar.

What was called a pedometer may be a great
tool to have for some of these products or

might not you know so that's just
something that we've put in there as

as a possibility camera for the that
can automatically upload photos for us.

That's actually something
we're considering for

one of our internal studies but

that may be useful for the for
the just for us to have in their homes.

Anyway I don't know that would be
this fancy of a camera they may

use the camera on the to on the tablet.

We just have to figure
out what will work and so

that's going to be a learning process.

And these are some of the internal
projects that we imagine might

occur that we might do in the test but
so medication compliance study and it's.

I'll just step through these and
be easier.

So using the evaluating
a scale right now in the in

the labs to determine if
the scale could be useful

enough to determine which medication
was taken and how much was taken so and

it's like in the little
milligram level scale and

we don't know if it's going to work or
not but

that was the idea was put into people's
homes and just something simple.

It's already technology that's
policy boy we're looking for

is can they can they use it.

What challenges do they have because
it guides our future research

that may be a product with
a scale built into it.

The camera

taking this was based on
a project called the intelligent

bathroom where there was a mirror part of
this that would have a visible Can I mean

a traditional camera and then an infrared
camera to take pictures of the face over

time in the bathroom so that every time
they come in the bathroom they're asked if

they would take the picture now and they
approved the this now and that picture and

then we look at changes over time that
may indicate some kind of cancer growing

out of the skin or other kinds of problems
that may be of concern and of course where

this is very useful is in detecting you
know tracking things like moles on your.

Back or that you can't see.

So that was or could detect that you have
a fever one morning with the infrared

camera that's another possibility but
they wanted to test this out

to see if people snapped pictures of
each other or it's mostly these couples.

What can we get what we're
kind of information could we.

Capture over time and
how do we use that information so.

Really tests.

You know that very early stage of
valuation of would this idea actually work

that we had of capturing those pictures
and what what concerns people have

about privacy and such and
I can imagine a number of them in both.

Technology diary was another idea
the they wanted to implement.

So being able to capture information
over time how they use technology and

I think there when these group
has done studies like this but.

You know can we determine that they've
used an i Pad or would they provide us

feedback each day at a certain time you
know I played we with my grand kids or

you can see the couple down in the bottom
here playing we it's kind of silly.

But to develop an understanding
over the population that we have of

how they use technology and
what their adoption is of these other.

Products.

And then there was this human performance
detection one which I thought

was a very cool idea because we already
have a project employed that's called.

That uses the i Phone to track.

For Parkinson's like when you have
an event and it's supposed to actually so

when you start detecting the shakes
you're supposed to pick up the phone and

hold on to it monitors the shakes and
contract that and then actually

cue you apparently one of the challenges
that people have is when they stop.

I mean they will stop as a result of
Parkinson's and not be able to restart.

So it's kind of like.

Freezing in place so the hope was to
use this application to detect that and

and give them a little stimulus to push
them forward and usually visual stimulus

is the key so I don't know exactly how
that's working on the project but they

want to take some of that research that
was done on detecting the using Excel or

in the in the i Phone device or
whatever phone they using and

start looking at that as a possible way to
track you know just have people do simple

studies every day or you know could be
a gait analysis study holding on to

the i Pad against their chest and
walking across the room or

it could be a mental assessment it
could be checking their voice but

I wouldn't they wouldn't go through
this battery of tests every day but

you know intervals throughout a month
three months something like that.

See what we can capture.

And hand balancing act was another one so

different ways that we can use an i Pad or

you know get minimal no
technology into the home and

then ask him to go through these kind
of tests to help us better understand.

So I imagine that there will be some some
other ideas that come out of this but

this is a starting point.

All right so

the final slide looking for
input from you.

We've gotten some of that along the way
if you have any ideas on how we you know

other ideas on how we might recruit
participants definitely open to that.

Suggestions for
these kind of internal research projects.

Maybe it's a question that you've had it
could be that some of our researchers have

a question that they had in their
mind that we could possibly

fund internally to run in
the in the test that's.

Or it could be funded by a federal
grant So anyway there are a lot of ways

that we can do these kind of tests
evaluations and in the test.

Yeah that's actually what we do a lot
of that here at Georgia Tech where we

you know one of the goals is to come up
with ideas that could be protected but

really it's not about the patenting
it's about solving problems.

So if we can solve
the problem in a way that

is more successful than anything else
out there that's where we our research

folks are are very keen
to to make advances.

It could be that it could be a spin
off company and it just depends on

there are a lot of different ways that
we had to attack or our approach.

So for example there was a whole home.

Sensing System called Electra sense of

using electrical lines in
the home to track activity.

Just turning off switches and
another one for called Hider sense for

monitoring water or doing studies on that
right now in the in the Aware Home but

this could be a very inexpensive way
to capture information that would

require a lot of sensors
around the home and

actually installing of sensors
on water lines which is.

If you're doing in numerous
locations that's problematic.

So trying to keep it as inexpensive as
possible to get the kind of activity

data that's important to
understand about individuals and

then that spun off into a start
up company that eventually got.

Purchased by Belkin so Belkin is now
looking at this is a product for

their conserved wine.

And I have been saying this that it
would be out in the next year and

actually I think I've been told it is
definite that there will be something out

this year around that that is the next
generation of their conserve products

which right now are detecting
that phantom power draw and

subs and turning off those those outlets.

Or even smart switches you know
switches connected to the parlor

where you can see shuttle.

Sections of your power to your computer.

Maybe you wouldn't want
to shut off the C.P.U.

but you want to shut off
all the peripherals.

So that's one example that no other
examples that we try to get companies

in here to license technology we target
the companies much like you had mentioned.

To say we think this would work
well with your product would you.

You know would you license those and
they'll often sometimes to license see

the IP and then they'll modify it for
their own business.

Right.

So we actually presented
the conference back in September.

There are four different projects
highlighting this is one that I've

talked about but so it was a start but
there were many other parallel tracks so

I think the maybe it would be worthwhile
the target group as a whole but

thank you for that suggestion.

Any other ideas for infrastructure
that we might consider that would

be you think would be key to have
in people's homes to either for

most likely for enabling the testing
of these products products but

obviously the Internet Gateway that's
that's a pretty key one the i Pad or

some kind of tablet is a feedback device
so that we could push out surveys and

ask them to provide us
feedback either on you know

it could be this kind
of technology diary or

it could be just a survey that asked
if you had this product in your home.

What do you think of it
just simple questions.

OK.

So I'm actually working with
leading age which is similar.

I mean they're more technology centric so

what one of the things we'll
probably do is get something on.

Their site.

For the industry folks
because we want to keep it.

Georgia centric for the recruitment but
national for the industry obviously and

leaving age on is he's director of the
group and he's been great at recommending.

How we might go about this and

he definitely he suggested Walter coffee
is a starting point here in Georgia.

But I think it's going to you know I want
to look at other possibilities so we.

We went to a leading age went to a lot of
the conference back and in October and

talked to a lot of the vendors and I think
it gave me a better sense of who might be

good targets for the technology because
some require ecosystems that we don't

have which we might build up so care you
know the carry because system is something

that we know is extremely important
in the success of the product but

it may just be initially
we're doing an assessment of.

You know how usable is it.

Which doesn't need that population and
that is that a level of need and

caring but as we move into that
stage we would need a test bed with.

Care coordinators care providers and
nurses etc in the mix.

So that's something that we're
open to consider as well so.

But we're going to work with
partners to develop that.

Yeah.

So I knew from the stories that this
was going to be a challenge and

you bring something new
into someone's home and

they assume that you're the reason for
everything failing.

Yeah I learned from folks like simple C.

Yeah.

So we don't know yet
how this is going to pan out.

I suspect it will require some percentage
of time of our management group

to deal with those kind of questions.

But I had no idea how to predict how
much that would cost in personal time so

I says yeah yeah yeah it's definitely
going to be a learning experience.

And that's so you know as soon as we
put the little robot in the home do

the phones light up.

Yeah.

So we'll see right now there is really
nothing that we have put into their homes.

Except for coming in during the court.

I mean we've just done the you know the
induction surveys or captured pictures and

there were a couple of people who
had issues with taking pictures.

So we just we did everything else and
that may be that when a product

comes up that we need to know understand
the home that they aren't considered for

that product but we'll see.

It's definitely a learning
phase right now.

But by by June after we've
run a couple of these studies

we should have some experience and
hopefully know how to deal with it.

And

then any other ideas for then this
is something that can be ongoing but

internal.

Objects that might be tested in this that.

We haven't considered yet so I know that
there are a number that are on the table

but I think getting a we probably
should keep a running list of.

Of questions that people say how does
the touchscreen or versus this or

that and how can we figure out
ways to try to work that in and

there's should be a time frame aspect
to that not just seize ability

study I think that's
that's what this test but

it's all about is getting that long
term understanding of the challenges.

Right.

Yeah.

And the other part of that is that
over the course of a month they have

the opportunity to connect with it so from
the stories from the initial study with

that they are putting hats on
the robot personalizing it much.

This time.
So that's that's what we want to find out

is what do they name the robot if you know
unfortunately we're probably told that

the robot is Autum But will they
continue calling robot autumn or.

Much like I have my conversations with
Siri and get mad at her very often.

I'm sorry Brian I cannot
do that right now.

So

I think that that that gets a level of
where to where it is that it has to

be something that is functioning
that you have the numbers and

we have to basically evaluate it.

Make sure it's not going to cause.

A lot of anxiety for both sides.

You know if it fails.

So we need to make sure
that the it is robust and

I think that swear Dennis folds and his
requirement that the that there not be any

Goober around in the larger number of
homes or or in within the vigils but we.

And I think he's grow I mean I think he's

now comfortable with this idea of
having thirty to forty homes that we

could use is that kind of
testing ground the early stage.

So people who are willing
to have researchers and

they're more frequently than
we're planning right now.

And then go go.

Well right.

Right.

I think what we are offering
the others aren't at this point.

Now we're starting to see the C.R. as the
clinical research organizations kind of

moving from just medication testing
into product testing as well.

But they may become our partners in this.

So we have a defined set
of homes that we know

about the population and
we can quickly get a study up and running.

We have the expertise to get the I.R.B.
in place a lot

of that's a requirement of F.D.A. that
you have before you can claim the data.

And if you didn't collect
under RB You have to go and

restart your captures collection.

Review Board so human subject protection.

And so that's another aspect and
then we also have the expertise to make

recommendations on improving
means to the white paper we have.

You know the Georgia Tech name.

So we have to be very careful
about respecting that name and and

not screwing up.

So all of this is coming into play and
I think as we build up and

develop that reputation that Georgie
tier i already has a great reputation.

So we just have to build this up
on that what they already have.

But

specific to aging that was
actually one of the that was

one of the the selling points
that we had considered in

the beginning I think we need to get up
to speed and see what works before we.

Start deciding what a certification is
going to look like but it was considered

so it's yeah it's kind of we'll toss
it out there for the future and maybe.

With the sort of with the aging
at the test in the homes.

So we already have a lot of medical
schools out there that are looking

at this looking at these types of products
from a not necessarily usability.

But I guess in a in a way it becomes
usability but the effectiveness so

how does this fit into.

Especially the monitoring
aspect what can we learn

from populations with the mention
of these kind of products.

So do N. who is in here last month
with the grand care products and

sensors that would go into the home
is testing with Oregon Health and

Science University because they already
have a population that is involved in a in

a study related to dimentia how
that you know if it's affective in

doing that F.D.A. approval stage so
but it's more clinical.

It is more centered around
the clinical aspects and

I think that that's where we're
trying to grow as get him earlier

than the clinical we've been getting
that just the usability aspect where.

That's equally as important.

And I'm sure there are others but
I know that we're going to Health and

Science University is not able to do
the capacity that we're thinking.

They're going to they'll accept
studies that fit into their research

as I've had this conversation in
planning this out with Jeff K..

Who is director of
the Orchid tech labs there.

And they're you know.

I think two ends fit in
very well with what he was

with what their research agenda is.

Right.
So there's different levels

of if you're a current the five ten K.
is I'm pretty sure that simple.

C. Have you gone through that process.

Right.

So you.

Was there was that you're
testing your own testing that.

Right.

OK So

and that's that those are the distinctions
that are kind of there's some shift now

some of the I know that the simple see
at least went through that process

because they wanted to make sure that
from the beginning they were ready for

these requirements and
similarly there's Gali

detect care remember the company
was then the technologies.

Lawrence College ball has
been running this and

has he had done these kind of initial
studies as well to ensure that there.

He wanted to go through
the process in case F.D.A.

requires in the future that they
get this kind of approval so.

And then when I say the different
stages there are three stages of.

And I'm sorry I'm not an expert on this.

I'm still learning that there are three
stages of a product one that's

just five ten K. clearance.

I believe it's termed And
then there's the approval process for

I think Phase two and Phase three you.

If there are products like yours
out there and I'll get in too deep.

If I if I go too far but.

We are aware of those.

We've got some people building
up expertise around this in

volved in the effort and

who will help in determining how we
get that the requirements in place.

And Dennis folds who is really been

helping push this through cheater
I he's very familiar with the RB

requirements of being on the as
he directed directly chair of.

All.

Claims.

All right.

Well thanks everybody.

If you have any other questions feel
free to e-mail me there are yours and.

It's because I keep typing and getting off
the so I get more information on the home

lab is that home lab here
I've got tech heavy you and.

I guess that's it.

If you'd like to contact Brad Fein.

His email is right here and
I have cards somewhere here.

You'd like to thank you.