A robot that helps detect falls in nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease.

Autonomous Navigating Robot for Detecting Falls and Risk of Falls in Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's Disease /ADRD

NIH-funded research Vigorous Mind, INC. · NIH-10698704

This study is testing a smart robot that can help keep nursing home residents with Alzheimer's safe by watching for falls and alerting caregivers when they happen, making sure everyone gets the help they need quickly.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVigorous Mind, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newton, United States)
Project IDNIH-10698704 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing an autonomous robot designed to detect falls and assess the risk of falls among nursing home residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The robot will utilize advanced artificial intelligence to monitor residents' movements and provide timely alerts to caregivers when a fall is detected. By addressing the limitations of existing fall detection systems, which often compromise privacy and effectiveness, this project aims to enhance the safety and well-being of vulnerable elderly populations. The research will involve testing the robot in real nursing home environments to evaluate its performance and impact on fall-related incidents.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are nursing home residents aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Not a fit: Patients who are not residing in nursing homes or those without cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of falls and related injuries among nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease, improving their overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been various fall detection systems, the use of an autonomous robot specifically designed for this population is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Newton, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.