Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed an innovative wearable that uses AI to recognise early signs of vulnerability in elderly people. The technology, developed in the Gutruf Lab, marks an important step towards preventive elderly care and can help prevent falls, hospital admissions and loss of function.
‘The current care model is mainly reactive,’ says Philipp Gutruf, associate professor of biomedical engineering and senior author of the study. ‘We often only assess frailty after a fall or hospitalisation. With this technology, we want to shift that approach towards prevention.’ The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
Early detection of frailty
Frailty increases the risk of falls, limitations and hospital admissions. According to previous studies, approximately 15 per cent of people over the age of 65 are affected by this. Early detection is crucial, but difficult in practice. The new wearable is designed to continuously and objectively monitor precisely those subtle changes in movement patterns.
The device consists of a soft, breathable mesh sleeve that is worn around the lower leg (above the knee). The sleeve contains miniature sensors that measure leg acceleration, symmetry and variation in walking pattern. These parameters are strongly related to early frailty.
AI at the “edge”
A distinctive feature of the wearable is the use of so-called Edge AI. Instead of continuously sending raw data, the device analyses the data locally. Only the summarised results are transmitted via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet.
This has major advantages. ‘Continuous, high-quality monitoring normally generates enormous data sets that quickly drain the battery and require a heavy internet connection,’ says Kevin Kasper, PhD student and lead author of the study. ‘By applying AI locally, we reduce data transmission by 99 per cent.’
This eliminates the need for a fast or stable internet connection and significantly extends battery life. In addition, the wearable supports long-range wireless charging, eliminating the need for users to connect cables or change batteries.
Designed for everyday use
Ease of use and comfort were central to the design. The approximately five-centimetre-wide sleeve is 3D-printed, lightweight and intended to be “invisible” in everyday life. This increases the likelihood of long-term and consistent use, which is an important prerequisite for reliable monitoring.
The Gutruf Lab has been working on wearable sensor technology for health monitoring for years. Previously, the team developed a patchless wearable that measures water vapour and skin gases to detect stress. The new leg sleeve builds on that expertise, but focuses specifically on mobility and ageing.
Impact on remote care
According to the researchers, the technology is ideally suited for remote care, particularly in rural or less well-equipped regions. Because the analysis takes place locally and requires little infrastructure, the wearable can be used widely.
‘We bring the laboratory to the patient, regardless of where they live,’ says Kasper. For healthcare providers, this means they can intervene earlier, for example with targeted training, medication adjustments or extra support at home.
The development is in line with broader trends in healthcare, in which digital technology, AI and wearables are being used to make care more accessible, affordable and preventive. By identifying vulnerability earlier, not only can the quality of life of older people be improved, but costs and pressure on the healthcare system can also be reduced. The researchers therefore see their wearable as a concrete step towards data-driven, personalised elderly care, in which prevention is better than cure.
