First it was for finding stolen cars, then keeping track of criminals, now Alzheimer’s sufferers are being fitted with tracking devices. This has been going on for some time now, but unlike the old tracking devices we’re seeing an update in technology to take advantage of the cell network for communications. The person wearing the device can be located using Uplink Time Difference Of Arrival or U-TDOA. This is the same technology that is used by 911 services to calculate the location of a cell phone.
Alzheimer’s is a frightening disease. The thought of a loved one wandering off with nothing to identify them and no recollection of who they are is a fear of every family dealing with the illness. There’s no doubt that this is a cost-effective solution that really works.
But from our perspective, can someone hot-glue a $3 Seiko to this thing? If you were designing this, would you even consider something that straps to your wrist and doesn’t have a clock on its face?
Update: Andrew corrected an error in the original post. This system uses U-TDOA for location, not GPS.
Update: Jeremy works for LoJack and has informed us that the product in the post and the technology used have nothing to do with the LoJack brand of products.
Just draw a few clock hands on the front, if the alzheimers is bad enough they wont know the difference.
Great idea. Although I’m with you on the clock face. Now they’ll be even more confused thinking their watch face fell on the ground somewhere.
lol @ bob
Now, my question is, what if they forget to charge it every night? Cuz I sure as heck forget to charge my phone and I dont have alzeimers (i think)
These are not GPS devices at all, and neither is LoJack.
All they do is broadcast an RF signal that can be used by authorities to track down the source when they are nearby.
GPS is a completely different animal, and the terminology is extensively abused in the mainstream press. I am honestly surprised to see Hack-a-day confusing the issue.
From the article you linked:
Seiko produces both quartz and mechanical watches of varying prices. The least expensive are around ¥4,000 (US$45) (Alba); the most expensive (Credor JURI GBBX998) costs ¥50,000,000 (US$554,000).
Seikos aren’t crappy.
what if they forget to put it on
@Dan
then you make it smaller, cut open a hole somewhere in them and stick it in and stitch it back up.
>But from our perspective, can someone hot-glue a $3 Seiko to this thing?
It’s kind of pointless. If an Alzheimer’s sufferer looked to see what time it was they’d have to check again a few seconds later.
@Andrew: You are correct. This system uses U-TDOA and not GPS. I’ve updated the post with the proper information.
NEWS FLASH!We know!
Nobody with Alzheimer’s will remember, so keep em coming Mike!
I got something similar for my cat:
http://www.com-spec.com/thecatlocator/index.htm
It has come in handy many, many times. He spends almost all of his time outdoors in the summer and goes FAR away. One summer he left for a month. Now he usually doesn’t leave for more than a day (not as many mice to eat?) but this comes in handy for example when we need to go on vacation and have to bring the cats to their babysitter’s house.
use wireless charging
also @ “alzheimers victims” – victims implies there was someone who did this to them.
@cyanide. You mean the way “earthquake victims” implies that someone did an earthquake to them?
That somebody is mother nature. Thats why I say we destroy her before she destroys us!!
Jesus wants them lost. He wont like this one bit.
Dave: Hey Steve, good to see you Hows the Alzheimer’s coming along?
Steve: Oh hi Dave im just about getting by, it’s a bit scary not remembering where you are sometimes though.
Dave: Thats terrible um.. whats with the faceless watch
Steve: arghh where the F**k did that come from [throws it in the nearest bin] …….Oh hi Dave?
Did anyone else see this happening?
While a little bit of “what if” scenarios for
ruggedizing a product is a welcome part of any
well engineered device. The sick attempts at
“humor” (humour for our UK audience) at the expense
of Alzheimers VICTIMS (yes they are “victims” of
a disease) are disgusting. Proper karma would be
someone in your family (or perhaps even yourselves)
develop the disease and then we’ll see how funny
it is.
@THOR, Almost anyone who lives long enough will gain Alzheimer’s to some degree… It is just a matter of when. I hope someday I live long enough to get it.
Hi Mike – I work at LoJack and wanted to notify you that we have a tracking device that helps law enforcement search for people who wander, including those with Alzheimer’s. It’s called LoJack SafetyNet and what you’ve detailed above is from a different company. LoJack SafetyNet is based on Radio Frequency technology and features a Personal Locator Unit worn around a client’s wrist or ankle. Police and other public safety officials use Search and Rescue Receivers to track the person who wanders. If you could either edit this post or remove mentions of LoJack in the headline, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
It is not a bad idea, but it would be better if it could look a little more like a regular watch.
See the issue with this is, an uncle of mine from india is an engineer, he lives with his daughter and suffers from Alzheimers, they got him something like this, BUT! he takes it off in like a minuet.
Great blog. Do you know of any relevant forums or discussion groups?
Je partage votre opinion sur ce sujet