The Apple Watch is a popular smartwatch that includes a number of health monitoring features, from tracking steps to heart rate. Recent versions of the Apple Watch include a fall detection feature. In a new TechSAge publication in Assistive Technology, researchers explored whether or not the device can accurately detect falls among wheelchair users. To do so, researchers conducted trials in which able bodied participants intentionally fell from wheelchairs in different directions while wearing the watch in a laboratory setting. Findings revealed that the Apple Watch fall detection feature had poor sensitivity to detect intentional falls from a wheelchair. Article from Abou et al., available upon request.

Travis Kadylak, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Human Factors & Aging Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He serves as a Co-Principal Investigator for the TechSAge R2 and D4 projects, which are aimed at developing and testing capabilities for voice-activated digital assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa, to support older adults with mobility disabilities at home. His general research interests include human-robot interaction and emerging smart home technology that can support health and well-being for users across the life-course. Outside of work, Travis enjoys spending his time doing activities outdoors – especially golfing, exercising, running, and cooking over an open fire with friends.