AT&T has launched a mobile personal emergency response system called EverThere that works with the company’s nationwide cellular network. The EverThere system consists of a portable device weighing 1.7 oz. that has a call button to notify a care center when the user falls or has an emergency situation. The device provides hands-free voice communication with the care center that can in turn respond with appropriate help. It has an internal accelerometer to automatically determine when the user has a fall and is able to place a call even if the wearer may not be able to.
The device provides 24×7 monitoring with a care center that is able to dispatch an ambulance or call a loved one. The EverThere system makes use of GPS and allows the care center to instantly determine the user’s location. The portable system, which was designed by a Seattle based company called Numera, makes use of internal gyroscopes and magnetometers, along with the accelerometer, to help learn the user’s daily routine. The device then sets the threshold to differentiate between the user’s normal motion and abrupt motions like falls. It can be worn either on a lanyard or on a belt using a supplied clip. The lithium ion battery inside promises to last up to 36 hours on a single charge.
