BLE-UWB Indoor Localisation for Behavioural Analysis of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This work introduces a system for monitoring older adults in multi-resident environments, either in residential or nursing homes. The system is able to calculate room-level location using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology and/or precise positioning using UWB (Ultra Wide Band) in rooms where specific position-related behaviours need to be detected. This approach requires the user to wear a minimally intrusive device (a wearable) with two specific functionalities: first, the transmission of BLE beacon-type announcement signals; and secondly, the calculation of 2D positioning using UWB technology. In the monitoring environment, a BLE receiver is installed for each room of interest, capable of storing and sending to the cloud the level of intensity received RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) from each device carried by the person to be monitored. In addition, in areas where better positioning accuracy is required, a UWB system is deployed so that the same portable device is capable of calculating the precise positioning with an error lower than 20 cm. This low-cost, scalable and easy-to-deploy approach enables long-term monitoring. The data obtained are very useful for identifying behavioural patterns or routines of the monitored individuals and for detecting possible anomalies that may indicate the onset of diseases related to physical and/or cognitive impairment.