We have just wrapped up our first season competing in the First Lego League. We have had a blast working on our very first FLL Project and Robot Game! At our 2012 Regional Qualifier we scored 210 points in our Robot Game, finishing in third place of 19 teams, and were awarded the Presentation Award!
For the 2012 season, the theme was Senior Solutions. We were asked to come up with a innovative solution for a problem facing Seniors today. In our research, we discovered that falls were a leading cause of injury for seniors. Also, we discovered that when a senior falls and does not receive assistance they can suffer from complications like hypothermia, pneumonia, and dehydration. It became clear to us that advances need to be made in the area of assistance to seniors who have fallen.
Through internet research, magazines, and consumer reports, we found that there are many fall detection and emergency assistance devices on the market. Most work through a receiver in the home and can only be used withing a certain distance from the receiver Others worked on mobile phone plans that could be taken anywhere but were bulky pendants or still required the wearer to press a button for assistance.
We invented a device that looks like a regular watch. It has a motion sensor that can tell the difference between normal activity and a serious fall. Once a fall is detected, the device will automatically call 911 using satellite technology. It will also use GPS technology to notify 911 of the wearer's location. This way, our device will provide fall assistance to the wearer no matter where they go.
We have learned so much this season and are already planning for next year! Please check back with us as we document our adventures in robotics!
